Congress manifesto silent on Article 370 restoration

NEW DELHI: Although Congress had strongly opposed the abrogation of Article 370 after the BJP govt executed it in August 2019, its manifesto for the upcoming J&K polls is, interestingly, silent on the issue.

There is no mention of Congress's stand on Article 370 in the manifesto released Monday even as it dedicates an entire section to governance in which, among a slew of measures, the party promises "inclusive and accountable governance by ensuring that Centre grants statehood to J&K".

Farooq Abdullah's National Conference, a key player in the contest and the bigger partner in the alliance with Congress in J&K, however, has been vociferously promising restoration of Article 370 and J&K's statehood. Among the 12 guarantees announced in its manifesto, NC has also promised dignified return of Kashmiri pandits to the Valley.

Modi govt abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to J&K on August 5, 2019. It also bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs - J&K and Ladakh. After the decision, Congress Working Committee had attacked the govt on the manner in which the abrogation was carried out.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday drew upon the party's seven guarantees for the people of J&K and reiterated in a post on X that the party promises to ensure full statehood for J&K.


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