'Who Said Article 370 Will be Restored'? Kharge's U-Turn After Amit Shah's Remarks

Pune: After Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) repeatedly asserted that nothing can make Central govt to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, November 15, took a u-turn from party's stand of bringing back abolished Article.

Congress president Kharge's remarks came during an event in Pune on Thursday. Taking a U-turn, Kharge attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah , questioning him who in grand-old party me Article 370 restoration claim. He furr accused BJP of keeping "issue alive to divide."

Kharge Takes U-Turn After Shah's ‘Article 370 Will Not Be Restored’ Remark 

Kharge said, "Amit Shah, in his poll rallies, accuses Congress of spreing lies. (But) He (himself) is saying Congress wants to bring back Article 370 (in J&K). Tell me, who said that and when? You are raking up an issue."

"If it (resolution to repeal Article 370) h been alrey passed in Parliament, why are you raking up issue again? It means you want to keep issue alive to divide. If you want to say this, go to Kashmir and say it. Elections are over in Kashmir," he ded.

Article 370 of Constitution, which provided special status to Jammu & Kashmir, was abrogated by BJP-led central government in August 2019.

Even If Indira Gandhi Returns From Heaven, Article 370 Will Not Be Restored: Shah 

This comes after Amit Shah, on Wednesday, November 13, asserted that Article 370 will not be restored even if Congress stalwart and late PM Indira Gandhi comes down from heaven. “Even if Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven, Article 370 won’t be restored,” said Shah.

Congress is in alliance with National Conference, which hes government in J&K. Last week, Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly passed a resolution demanding Centre to hold talks with elected representatives for restoration of erstwhile state's special status.

Referring to Uttar Presh Chief Minister Yogi ityanath , Congress president said one of BJP leers is saying 'batenge toh katenge' (we will perish if we are divided) and questioned rationale behind coining such a slogan.

"Why (give such a slogan)? country is united. Congress worked to keep country united. (To keep country united) Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed ir lives. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. Congress did this (sacrifices), but you neir fought for country's unity, nor its independence or poor," Kharge opined, hitting out at BJP.

He pointed out that it was Congress which me provision for reservation in Constitution as first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar worked to approve quota for SCs/STs in jobs and education.

"But y (BJP) are still raking up (reservation) issue," Kharge remarked.

He claimed BJP is pitting country's towering political figures like Nehru, Ambedkar, Vallabhbhai Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose against each or.

"y (BJP) now say Babasaheb wanted to do this, but Jawaharlal Nehru did this. Vallabhbahi Patel said this and Bose said that. When y were alive, you were against Constitution. You did not even keep Indian flag in your office.

"You were not rey to accept Ashok Chakra (centred in middle of tricolour) and you wanted to have a Constitution on basis of Manu (Manusmriti, an ancient religious text) and now you remember Constitution," he insisted.

AICC president asserted Congress wants to keep country united and was rey to make any sacrifice for it.

Just 5 per cent people in country hold 62 per cent wealth and 50 per cent people have only 3 per cent wealth, he said.

"Inste of reducing this disparity, Modiji is encouraging his friends by selling public sector units. maximum drug supply is taking place at port given to ani. In October, 400 kg cocaine was seized. In February, 4,000 kg charas was seized. Illegal things are being brought in which are destroying (youths in) Pune, Bengaluru, Punjab ," Kharge averred.

Asked how Congress and opposition MVA will mobilise finances to fund populist schemes promised in ir manifestos if y come to power in Maharashtra , he said, "Give us power, we will give you a budget. We work as per budget." "We do not believe in 'khoke' (boxes of money), but 'doke' (brain). We have brains and y have khoke," Congress leer remarked.

Congress governments have successfully implemented pre-polls guarantees in Himachal Presh , Telangana and Karnataka, Kharge asserted.

Kharge said he h visited Vidarbha, Marathwa and Nashik regions where farmers sought good rates for soybean, cotton and onion.

Congress will procure soybean at Rs 7,000 per quintal if it comes to power, and will also set up a price regulation committee for onions, he said.

He backed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's claim that BJP tried to bribe 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore.

(With PTI inputs)