Jammu, Oct 1: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today accused the Congress and National Conference (NC) of manipulating the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly to extend its term to six years using Article 370. He stated that this manipulation happened under the guise of Article 370 and was used for the benefit of political dynasties, not the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
While speaking to reporters after casting his vote in the third phase of the Assembly elections at the Trikuta Nagar polling station, Dr. Singh explained the historical background. In 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi extended the term of both Parliament and State Assemblies to six years during the Emergency. While the Janata Party later reversed this, the NC-Congress government continued the six-year rule in J&K, exploiting Article 370.
Key Highlights:
Exploitation of Article 370: Dr. Jitendra Singh accused Congress and NC of misusing Article 370 to keep the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly term at six years, unlike other states where it reverted to five years after the Emergency. He said, “This is how Article 370 was being abused by the political dynasts for their own benefit.”
First Election Without Separatist Influence: The Minister highlighted that the current elections marked the first in 35 years without any strike calls from Pakistan or boycott campaigns by separatists, calling it the “true mainstreaming of democracy.”
West Pakistani Refugees, Valmikis, and Gorkhas: Dr. Singh emphasized the injustice faced by West Pakistani refugees, the Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community, who were deprived of voting rights due to Article 370 and Article 35-A, despite giving two Prime Ministers (Manmohan Singh and I.K. Gujral) to India.
Modi Government’s Reforms: He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments, holding local body elections like Panchayats and District Development Council (DDC) elections, and ensuring the participation of all communities in Jammu and Kashmir’s political process.
Restoration of Democracy: The Union Minister said that the enthusiastic participation of people in the Assembly elections reflects the success of Prime Minister Modi’s policies and the mainstreaming of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Historic Injustice: Dr. Singh also reiterated that the previous political regimes used Article 370 and Article 35-A to deny citizenship and voting rights to certain communities, despite their contributions to India.
