Govt could have consulted all parties before abrogating Article 370, says Mir Mohammad Fayaz

On the issue of the modification of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajya Sabha MP Mir Mohammad Fayaz said that the central government could have consulted all the states before taking such a huge decision. On August 5, Fayaz protested Government's move to abrogate Article 370. He was also asked to leave the Rajya Sabha following this act.

New Delhi: Senior People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mir Mohammad Fayaz on Wednesday said that the government could have consulted all parties before abrogating Article 370.

On August 5, Fayaz protested the government's move to abrogate Article 370. He was also asked to leave the Rajya Sabha following this act.

In an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat, Fayaz said that if this was an internal matter of the country 'government could have talked with all parties'.

"I was talking about the development of Jammu & Kashmir for last four years...there was a working group report also and the government could have acted upon it..." said Fayaz.

He further said that the entire Kashmir was like was in jail now. "There were no shops open, no mobile and internet connectivity...three CMs (Mehbooba Mufti, Faruq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah) are in jail. There is no trace about their whereabouts," said Fayaz.

He further said: "If anybody wants to visit J&K, they must approach the Supreme Court first."

Referring to the claim made by Ladakh MP Tsering Namgyal over negligence towards Ladakh by the previous Jammu and Kashmir administration, Fayaz said, "If they want a UT they can definitely ask for that...but people of Kashmir never wanted UT."

Fayaz also said that he tried to trace his senior leaders.

"Government is now talking to organise elections, what's the use of this if people are not allowed to move freely," said Fayaz.

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