A day after Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a state government-sponsored resolution calling for “restoration of special status”, the Congress, which is an ally of the ruling National Conference, is attempting a delicate and tricky balancing act, by trying to link the resolution’s demand for restoration of special status to revival of statehood of J&K and by distancing itself with the demand for restoration of Article 370. This reflects the Congress’ twin occupational hazard –– to be with the NC’s and other parties’ Valley sentiments and still having to shield itself from the BJP attacks before the national political gallery, especially in poll-bound Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Talking to ET from Srinagar, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra said on Thursday that “the Congress party welcomes” the resolution passed by the Assembly on Wednesday and said the resolution “reflects the urges and aspiration of the people of Jammu & Kashmir”. At the same time, Karra also maintained the resolution’s call to restore J&K’s “special status” meant “restoration of statehood of J&K” and “not the restoration of Article 370”. He also maintained that “once the Supreme Court gave its verdict (upholding the abrogation of Article 370), the only thing left to be demanded is the restoration of statehood for J&K”.
“Wednesday’s Assembly resolution for the restoration of special status of J&K has meant restoration of statehood of J&K. The Congress party is clear about it. When Article 370 was abrogated in Parliament, the Congress had vehemently opposed it. But, once the Supreme Court gave its verdict (upholding the abrogation of Article 370), the only thing left to be demanded is the restoration of statehood for J&K,” Karra said when asked about the Assembly resolution pitching for restoration of special status of J&K.
Asked how special status for J&K could be restored without restoring Article 370, Karra said, “Please note the resolution moved in the Assembly made no mention of Article 370. The BJP is deliberately misinterpreting it to indulge in its petty political propaganda. Restoring special status means restoring statehood for J&K and restoring special rights and laws of the people of J&K regarding employment and land and safeguarding their cultural identity and natural resources. May I point out such laws for jobs and land (for state people) already exist in about 16 other states”.
Pointing out that the Assembly resolutions called for the Centre holding dialogue with the elected representatives of J&K on the demands in the resolution, Karra said “the BJP can’t find fault with this as it has been maintaining that the government of India should hold talks only with the representatives of the people of J&K in the Assembly”.Incidentally, the Congress is yet to join the Omar Abdullah ministry by maintaining that its first priority is the restoration of Statehood for J&K.
