Modi dares Oppn to promise reversal of 370 in manifesto

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, October 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today challenged the Opposition parties to promise reversal of the Article 370 in their manifestos if they had the courage to do so.

Addressing an election rally in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon today, Modi hit out at the Opposition parties for their criticism of the government on the abrogation of the Article 370. “Do you think they have the courage to bring back Article 370? Will they be able to survive in politics if they dare to do so? If you have the courage, come forward and tell us in your manifesto that you will bring back Article 370 and Article 35 (a),” Modi asked the rally.

The PM, who addressed his first rally in Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly elections here, said Kashmir was not just a plot of land. “Kashmir is the crown of India... it won’t take more than four months for things to become normal in J&K,” he said.

Criticising the Congress and the NCP, Modi accused them of parroting Pakistan’s lines. “Look at the statements made by Congress, NCP ...They are speaking the lines of our neighbour,” Modi said.

The PM added that the poor, women and the Dalits of Kashmir did not see any development since the Independence. “Members of the Valmiki did not even enjoy basic human rights in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” he said.

He further pointed out that his government fulfilled the promise made to Muslim women on triple talaq. “I kept the promise made to our Muslim mothers and sisters regarding triple talaq. I challenged the Opposition to bring back the practice of triple talaq,” he said.