In Surprise Tweet, Arvind Kejriwal Backs Centre On Jammu And Kashmir Move

As the move to scrap Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, drew opposition protests, Arvind Kejriwal stood out as the lone voice, among rivals, coming out in support of the government.

"We support the government on its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state," Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, tweeted.

Mr Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have spent a better part of their political journey hitting out at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a range of issues, especially related to the autonomy of Delhi. For years, he accused the ruling BJP at the centre of trying to control Delhi through the Lieutenant Governor and ignoring the elected local government.

Home Minister Amit Shah said in parliament that President Ram Nath Kovind had signed off on an order that would come in place "at once".

"There should not be a delay of even a second to removing Article 370 from the Constitution," the Home Minister said, shouting above opposition protests.

He also said Jammu and Kashmir would be bifurcated into two regions. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, like Delhi, will have an assembly. Ladakh will be a Union Territory without an assembly.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj defended Mr Kejriwal's stand, saying Kashmir's situation is "180 degrees opposite to that of Delhi", reported news agency Press Trust of India.  

"We cannot compare Kashmir situation with that of Delhi & Pudducherry. Two-third of the original Kashmir is under occupation of Pakistan and China. There were around 150 incidents of infiltration that occurred last year in Kashmir. We cannot compare a peaceful state with a disturbed border state," he said in a statement.

"We have supported and opposed central government based on issues. Whenever there is a national interest or a policy of public interest, we have supported it. When we feel a policy of government is anti-people we have opposed it," the statement added.