'NC-Congress Want To Restore Article 370': Amit Shah Targets Oppn In J-K Rally, Says 'It's Part Of History Now'

Ahead of the first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, September 16, said that Article 370 has become a part of history, but the Congres and National Conference want to restore the provision and end the quota system for Gurjar and Pahadis.

Addressing a mega rally in J-K’s Paddar Nagseni, Shah said, “NC and Congress say that they will reinstate Article 370 if their government is formed. Should Article 370 be back? (he asked the people). The reservation which the Pahadis and Gurjar brothers get, would not be possible if Article 370 is restored.”

Stepping up the offensive against the NC-Congress alliance, Shah reiterated that neither Farooq Abdullah (of the NC) nor Rahul Gandhi (of the Congress) will taste success in the upcoming assembly polls of J-K.

“I have been observing the environment in Kashmir, neither Farooq Abdullah nor Rahul Gandhi is forming the government here. Article 370 is now a part of the history. There is no place for Article 370 in the Constitution of India. There can never be two prime ministers, two constitutions and two flags in Kashmir. There will only be one flag and that is our Tricolour,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government revoked Article 370 and Article 35A in 2019 and reorganised Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Keeping up their agenda, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah while releasing the party’s manifesto for the upcoming J-K Assembly elections said, “We strive to restore (Articles) 370-35A, and statehood as before August 5, 2019.”

The Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held across three phases, starting from September 18, September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8, the Election Commission said.