Union Minister G Kishan Reddy Criticizes Congress-National Conference Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has criticized the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing them of wanting to reinstate Article 370 and implement the ‘Jinnah Constitution.’ He stated, “In the manifesto released by the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, they have said that after coming to power, they will reinstate Article 370. It is wrong that the Congress-National Conference will implement the Jinnah Constitution by removing the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, which was implemented after 70 years by Prime Minister Modi.”

While Congress’ manifesto for the Assembly election is silent on Article 370, its bigger alliance partner NC promised in its manifesto the restoration of Article 370. The PM Narendra Modi government abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019.

Kishan Reddy also alleged that Congress has historically deprived vulnerable sections of Jammu and Kashmir of their rights. He said, “The Congress Party has done injustice to the Scheduled Caste people, women, Gujjars, here for 70 years, snatching their rights. Nehru, Abdullah, and Mufti families are corrupt parties, they are parties supporting terrorists… The people of the country will not allow the Jinnah Constitution to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the central government will not hold any conversation with Pakistan until terrorism is eliminated. Addressing an election rally in Nowshera, Shah stressed against revoking Article 370 in the valley as demanded by the opposition, including the National Conference and Congress. He said, “Farooq Abdullah says that they will bring back Article 370. Farooq Sahab, nobody can bring back Article 370. Now, bunkers are not needed because no one can dare to fire bullets. ‘Agar wahan see goli aayi to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega’. They want to bring back Shiekh Abdullah’s flag. Only our tricolour will wave in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism continued in Jammu and Kashmir for 30 years, curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir for 3000 days in 30 years, 40,000 people were killed. Farooq Sahab, where were you during those days? Let me tell you, when Kashmir was burning, Farooq Sahib was comfortably holidaying in London.”

The first phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana.