Mehbooba, Farooq discuss ways to protect Article 35A

Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 8

Amid growing controversy over the attempts of the revocation of Article 35A, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah at his residence here today.

“The CM discussed the current political situation in the state with the NC president,” NC spokesperson Junaid Azim Matoo said. Matoo said the significant part of the meeting was taken up discussing ways to protect Article 35A. “Farooq suggested that the CM should consult other parties with an aim to create a wider consensus amongst like-minded parties in this battle to prevent Article 35A from being struck down in the Supreme Court,” he said.

The Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Indian Constitution in 1954, grants special privileges and rights to the permanent residents of J&K and debars non-residents from buying land or property, getting government jobs, or voting in the Assembly elections in the state.

Before meeting Farooq, the CM during a public rally in Budgam district said the special status enjoyed by the state under the Constitution needs to be protected and preserved. “The legislature of the state enjoys huge powers unlike any other state Assembly,” she said.