Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his assurance that the INDIA bloc government will bring back statehood to Jammu and Kashmir if the present BJP government fails to do so. Naqvi accused the Congress of destroying happiness, development, and trust in J&K and claimed that Gandhi's promise is only for the benefit of separatists. He also mocked the previous elections in J&K as a joke, citing low voter turnout and alleged tampering. However, he expressed confidence in the upcoming elections being conducted transparently, including the first poll since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The National Conference and Congress have announced a pre-poll seat-sharing agreement, with the NC contesting in majority of the seats.
Congress' Failed Promise on Jammu and Kashmir Statehood
Background:
Jammu and Kashmir, a former princely state, acceded to the Union of India in 1947. It enjoyed a special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted it autonomy over internal affairs. However, in 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government revoked Article 370, removing the special status and dividing the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Current Situation:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised that if his party comes to power, the INDIA bloc government will restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, this has been met with criticism from the BJP, which accuses the Congress of failing to address the issue during its long tenure in power.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's Criticism:
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has criticized Congress for its alleged failures in Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the party of destroying happiness, development, and trust in the region and claimed that Gandhi's promise is merely an attempt to appease separatists.
Naqvi also questioned the legitimacy of previous elections in Jammu and Kashmir, citing low voter turnout and alleged tampering. However, he expressed confidence in the upcoming elections being conducted transparently.
National Conference and Congress Alliance:
The National Conference and Congress have announced a pre-poll seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The NC will contest in the majority of the seats, with the Congress contesting in the remaining.
FAQs:
Q1. Why did the BJP revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir? A1. The BJP claimed that Article 370 was a hindrance to the region's development and integration with the rest of India.
Q2. What are the allegations of electoral fraud in Jammu and Kashmir? A2. The BJP and other critics have accused the Congress of manipulating elections in the past, including those held before the revocation of Article 370.
Q3. What are the plans for the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir? A3. The elections are expected to be held in 2023 and will be conducted by the Election Commission of India. The National Conference and Congress have formed an alliance, while the BJP is expected to contest independently.
Q4. What is the significance of the pre-poll seat-sharing agreement between the National Conference and Congress? A4. The agreement demonstrates that the two parties are determined to work together to challenge the BJP and regain power in Jammu and Kashmir.
Q5. What is the likelihood of Congress restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir? A5. It is unclear whether the Congress would be able to fulfill Gandhi's promise regarding statehood, as the revocation of Article 370 was a constitutional amendment passed by the Indian Parliament.
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