Haryana chief minister reiterated BJP's stand demanding the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on Thursday, said that the Kashmir issue was born out of the "mistakes" committed by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Addressing a public rally in Bhiwani, Mr Khattar said, "It was because of the mistakes committed by Jawaharlal Nehru that Article 370 came into force in the Jammu and Kashmir."
Mr Khattar also told voters that Congress does not want to scrap Article 370 while reaffirming that BJP will continue to make efforts in this direction in order to repeal it.
Article 370 grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A, incorporated into the Constitution in 1954, provides special rights and privileges to the residents of the state. Both articles were incorporated in the Constitution of India as "temporary and transient", but have continued.
The Haryana chief minister's statement comes shortly after BJP released its election manifesto, reiterating its demand for abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution. The manifesto also said that BJP will make efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to the state.
In Haryana, where 10 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, polling will be held on May 12, while counting of votes will take place on May 23.