Srinagar: People's Conference chairman Sajad Lone on Saturday said leaders from Jammu and Kashmir should either get the national opposition to endorse the demand for the restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution or just keep out of the united platform.
Lone's remarks came a day after a virtual meeting of the leaders of 19 opposition parties demanded the release of all political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir, restoration of its full statehood including J-K cadre of central services and the conduct of free and fair assembly elections at the earliest. However, there was no mention of the erstwhile state's special status guaranteed under Article 370, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
No mention of Article 370 in opposition parties' meet. In wonderment how can J and K leaders justify their presence in the meeting if they could not convince the leaders to talk about 370? BJP's anti-370 stance is clear. What is the national opposition stance, Lone said on Twitter. The JKPC chief said he knows the BJP would not restore the J-K's special status.
Article 370 can b(e) restored either in Parliament or by the courts. Courts we have to wait. It is a long process. In Parliament, we know BJP won't restore it. The quietude of opposition parties suggests they won't either. Then who will, he said. Lone asked why the leaders from J-K were becoming a part of a process that endorses don't talk about Article 370 discourse.