As J&K heads to polling booths, where does Article 370 stand for parties

A look at the stand of the main players:

National Conference

Restoration of statehood, and Articles 370 and 35A “as prior to August 5, 2019” features prominently in the NC’s manifesto as well as its campaign. Party leaders, including president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah, have repeatedly spoken of the impact that the Constitutional changes of August 2019 have had while emphasising the need to protect the “identity and dignity” of the people of the region.

Conceding that the restoration of Article 370 would be a “long haul”, the NC in its manifesto has promised to “redraw the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, in the interim period”.

The NC has also said that as the first list of business in the Assembly post the polls, it “will pass a resolution against the Centre’s decision tostrip the region of its statehood and special status” and make efforts to “modify, annul, and repeal post-August 2019 laws that impact the special status of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Congress

Though its ally NC has staunchly spoken in support of restoration of Article 370, the Congress has stayed clear of any conversation surrounding the issue.

Even as party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra have repeatedly emphasised on the need to restore statehood, they have not engaged on the issue of special status.

The party has also maintained that if elected to power, the Congress-NC alliance government would work on a common minimum programme.

Peoples Democratic Party

The last party to hold power in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP says it will focus on resolving “the Kashmir issue” as it is “the cornerstone for lifting the people out of a persistent cycle of violence and unrest”.

A vocal opponent of the Centre’s August 2019 move, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has termed the revocation of Constitutional guarantees as “illegal and unconstitutional”, adding that Article 370 formed the basis of Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with India.

Emphasising on conflict resolution, confidence building measures (CBM) and regional cooperation, the PDP has also advocated revival of “diplomatic initiatives with Pakistan”.

BJP

The party which facilitated the abrogation of Article 370 and reorganised the erstwhile state has said the issue is a “closed chapter” and accused the Congress-NC of “wanting to release terrorists in the garb of restoring Article 370”.

In its manifesto, the BJP has stated that the abrogation of Article 370 has led to the “complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir” with the Constitution of India. “This has enabled the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system and extension of key Central laws to the region, promoting grassroots democracy and social justice,” the manifesto reads.

Apni Party

The Altaf Bukhari-led party, which is accused by its opponents as “a proxy of the BJP”, has termed what happened on August 5, 2019, a “momentous change in the history of the state”.

The party has also sought a “pragmatic and realistic” approach to lead the UT towards political stability and economic prosperity. “The party’s priority is to establish peace and create an environment conducive to progress,” it has stated.

Maintaining that it will work to “secure Constitutional guarantees for the protection of land and jobs for local youth”, the Apni Party has said it will work with the Prime Minister to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, and has also made a mention of restoring Article 370.

People’s Conference

Talking about the party’s role in the earliest legal battle against the “unilateral” abrogation of Article 370, the Sajad Lone-led outfit has reiterated its commitment to “fight for the restoration of Articles 370, 35A and statehood”. Lone has said his party will take “all exhaustive measures” to pursue the cause.

Awami Ittehad Party

Party chief and Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, who walked out of jail on September 11 after being granted bail in a terror funding case, has said the AIP would support the INDIA bloc if they promise to restore Article 370.

“If the INDIA bloc assures us that it will restore Article 370 when it comes to power in Delhi, I will tell every candidate of mine to pledge each vote of their supporters in its favour,” he said earlier this week.

Rashid also said that the Kashmir issue must be solved if India wants to be seen as a global leader.