New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has rejected central minister Jitendra Singh's clarification on his controversial remark on Article 370, demanding an explanation "from higher up."
"How can someone be misquoted or misunderstood when what he has said is on camera. This is clearly an own goal by a new minister. Up till now we had political statements being made by parties now we have a minister in the Prime Minister's Office stating government policies. Revoking Article 370 is extremely dangerous. This will invite far more destruction. Article 370 binds Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. I have not yet come across a way where you can do away with Article 370 without carrying the people of Jammu and Kashmir along," Mr Abdullah told NDTV. (
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He added, "It is a most irresponsible statement. The clarification by Jitendra Singh is not enough. It should come from much higher up otherwise seeds of doubt will have been sown in the minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir and you don't want to do that." (
After Facing Flak, Union Minister Jitendra Singh Clarifies Remark on Article 370)Soon after he took charge as union minister of state in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Office and the department of personnel and training (DoPT), Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday, "His (Mr Modi's) intention and that of the government is that we should have a debate so that we can convince the unconvinced about the disadvantages of Article 370."
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While Mr Abdullah criticised the minister's comments in a slew of tweets, Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party), the chief opposition party of Jammu and Kashmir warned that revoking 370 can have "a devastating impact on J&K." She demanded that, "The PMO must clarify the statement to reassure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that that no mischief is on its way."
Late last night Mr Singh - who is the BJP member of Parliament from Udhampur in Jammu - tried to limit damage. He issued a statement saying, "I seek to clarify that the reports in the media about my statement on Article 370 are misquoted. I have never said anything quoting the Honourable Prime Minister. The controversy is totally baseless."
Article 370 of the constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and governs the relationship between the Union of India and the state. The BJP had for years sought complete abrogation of the provision.
But in December last year, the party appeared to soften its stand when Narendra Modi, while campaigning in Jammu said there should be at least a debate on whether or not the special law has benefited the state. BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is now Home Minister, had said that if Article 370 has proved to be beneficial for the state, his party would stand by the measure. (
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