Hope BJP sends J&K Governor the manifesto too: Omar Abdullah claims vindication over Articles 370 and 35-A, attacks

Three days prior to the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, BJP has launched its 'Sankalp Patra' election manifesto encompassing comprehensive issues, including the contentious Article 370 of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Included in the section of 'Nation First', BJP manifesto's stance over abrogating Article 370, has irked the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, who called out the Governor of the state, Satya Pal Malik for accusing parties like National Conference of fear-mongering for electoral sake over the issue. 

He further accentuated on how the Governor assured that there was 'no threat' to the Article 370 and 35-A, that came into force after an accordance between former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former chief minister of J&K Sheikh Abdullah

In a tweet, NC chief said: "Recently Jammu amd Kashmir Governor claimed there was no threat to Article 370 and 35-A and that parties like mine were only using them to drum up fear in the elections. I hope his colleagues in the BJP send him a copy of their manifesto.

On Sunday when questioned about political parties like Abdullah's NC, Mufti's PDP and Congress raking up the issue of the state's special status, the Governor said that these parties are instigating "artificial fear" and provoking people for votes. 

BJP in their manifesto "reiterating" their position on the Article 370 that allows an autonomous status to the state claimed that they are "committed to annulling Article 35A" of the Constitution stating the follow reasons: 

• The Article 35A is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of the state 
• Article 35A is an obstacle in the development of the state.

They further stated that along with ensuring a peaceful environment for the residents of the state and ensure a 'safe' return of Kashmiri pandits. Moreover, they will financially assist for the resettlement of refugees from West Pakistan, PoK and Chhamb. 

Accentuating their stand on "national security", the BJP manifesto pans across various issues from welfare of soldiers, action against left-wing extremism, the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Modernisation of Police Forces, Combating infiltration among others.