Rajnath Singh: How has Article 370 helped J&K?

Rajnath Singh: How has Article 370 helped J&K?
BJP president Rajnath Singh on Monday raised the issue of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying those who oppose the provision’s abrogation should first “spell out” how it has helped the state.

“Our stand is that because of this (Article 370), J&K has not benefited at all. Had it benefited, had it helped in reduction of poverty, then we would welcome it,” Singh said, seeking a debate on the issue.

In its election manifesto, the party has said, “The BJP reiterates its stand on Article 370 and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article.”

Singh spoke about a host of issues, including the policy a BJPled government would adopt while dealing with Pakistan.

“Pakistan is our neighbour. We will want to have good relations with it and all other neighbours. But Pakistan also should have the same approach. We also expect Pakistan to have good relations with India,” Singh said.

On the reference in the manifesto that a BJP-led government would “revise and update” the nuclear doctrine, he said there should be no misgivings as India would maintain a “no-first-use” policy.

Seeking to downplay the issue, he said, “All governments keep reviewing nuclear policy to tune it with the interest of the common masses.” BJP has said in the manifesto, “We will follow a twopronged independent nuclear programme, unencumbered by foreign pressure and influence, for civilian and military purposes, especially as nuclear power is a major contributor to India’s energy sector.”

While releasing the BJP manifesto on April 7, Modi had vowed to pursue a “zero-tolerance” approach on security so that “no one dares threaten” India. Meanwhile, at a rally in Bihar, Singh called the Congress “the biggest communal party”. “Congress is trying to frighten Muslims in the name of Modi and is calling BJP communal. The truth is that Congress is the biggest communal party which facilitated the country’s partition,” he said.