'Not a part of Gupkar Alliance': Congress clarifies after BJP criticism; attacks Amit Shah

After facing a barr of criticism from BJP for its political stance in J&K, Congress party on Tuesday clarified that it is t a part of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Slamming  Congress party for supporting Gupkar alliance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier in day alleged that y wanted to take back J&K to "era of terror and turmoil". In press te, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala accused Shah of making false statements inste of focusing on safeguarding national security. 

Recalling that thousands of Congress workers h laid down ir lives for country, he stressed that his party would never accept any dam to integrity of nation and national flag. Moreover, Surjewala mentioned that Congress does t consent to foreign interference in any internal matter of India including J&K. 

He questioned Shah on how n PDP-BJP government h allowed Masarat Alam to unfurl Pakistani flag and chant anti-India slogans in J&K. At same time, Surjewala emphasised that Congress was contesting  District Development Council election as it was in favour of democratic process and to expose real face of BJP. Interestingly, he did t explicitly deny possibility of Congress having a seat-sharing justment with PAGD for DDC election. 

Re: J&K Congress' Shahnawaz Choudhary Exposes Party; Was Denied DDC Ticket Amid Gupkar Pact

Re: RSP Slams Congress-Gupkar Alliance Ahe Of DDC Polls, Questions Its Stance On Article 370

What is Gupkar alliance?

Gupkar Declaration was a resolution passed by NC, PDP, Congress, CPI(M), JKPC and ANC on August 4, 2019, pledging to protect "identity, automy and special status" of J&K. However, a presidential tification along with pass of requisite legislation in both Houses of Parliament resulted in Article 370 becoming virtually redundant. On October 15, a meeting of all Gupkar Declaration barring for Congress was held wherein a formal alliance- PAGD was anunced.  Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been declared as  president and vice president of this coalition respectively.

However, confusion persisted as Congress leership at Central and state level differed over ir political stance in J&K. On vember 15, J&K Congress president Ghulam Ahm Mir put all speculation at rest by declaring that PAGD constituents shall fight DDC polls toger to defeat those who have been "forcefully implementing" laws in Union Territory. DDC election will be conducted in 8 phases between vember 28 and December 19, with counting of votes scheduled for December 22. 

Re: Cong, NC Should Explain If y Endorse Gupkar Resolution To Restore Article 370: Jitendra Singh