Congress stand

Congress has been very critical of the BJP government for all the steps taken post abrogation of article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to meet all the important political parties of Jammu and Kashmir on June 24 as a fresh outreach here, the Congress has demanded repeal of JK Re-organization Act, 2019, and restoration of status quo ante in the erstwhile state.

Status quo ante return to the pre-August 5, 2019 position is also what the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration has been seeking and before they decide about the talks with the central government on June 24, they will have to address the concerns within their parties on this issue.

This means restoration of special status and full statehood is the comment made by CWC member P Chidambaram on Monday. He said, “Congress Party’s position that full statehood must be restored to J&K should clear any doubt or ambiguity. What was made under the Constitution cannot be unmade by an Act of Parliament misinterpreting and misusing the provisions of the Constitution.”

He said the dismembering of J&K has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the cases are pending for nearly two years. He expressed hope that in the coming Monsoon session, Parliament will repeal the offending laws and restore the status quo ante in J&K.

J&K Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir has also got an invitation to attend the all party meeting to be held on June 24 at New Delhi and he has told media that the participation in the meeting would be decided by party high command.