Politics

BJP Manifesto: Committed to abrogate Art 370, 35-A, ensure safe return of Pandits to valley

Srinagar: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, after releasing it’s manifesto said that the party was committed to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35-A of the Indian constitution, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The rightwing BJP said that the party reiterates its position since the time of Jan Sangh to abrogate both the articles. The manifesto also siad that the party will work towards the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.

“We reiterate our position since the time of the Jan Sangh to abrogation of Article 370. We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the manifesto.

The manifesto has been titled Sankalp Patra, means intention formed by the heart and mind. The manifesto also talks about the return of the Kashmiri Pandits.

“We will make all efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits,” read the manifesto. It said the party will provide financial assistance for the resettlement of refugees from West Pakistan, Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (PaK) and Chhamb.

The senior leadership of the party was present at the launch of manifesto.

Moreover, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said their manifesto has not been prepared with a ‘Tukde Tukde’ mindset but with a strong nationalist vision.


On the contrary, Congress in their manifesto, said that ‘no constitutional change will be allowed in the special status of JK’. The manifesto also promised to review the dreaded Armed Forces Special Powers Act and reduce Army footprints in J&K.

The Congress also said that they will appoint three new interlocutors if it was voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

After their release, Jaitely had said that important points related to Jammu and Kashmir in the Congress manifesto appeared to be drafted by the ‘Tukde Tukde’ gang.

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