Non-NDA parties back govt

NEW DELHI:Amid uproar in the Rajya Sabha created by members belonging to the Congress, PDP and Left parties over the government’s move to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and a Bill to reorganise the state in two separate Union Territories, there was a silver lining for the ruling BJP, as several of the independent parties, including BSP (4), BJD (7), TDP (2), AAP (3) and YSR-CP (2) came out in its support.

BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, BSP supremo Mayawati and YSR-CP head YS Jaganmohan Reddy supported the government.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 5

Amid uproar in the Rajya Sabha created by members belonging to the Congress, PDP and Left parties over the government’s move to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and a Bill to reorganise the state in two separate Union Territories, there was a silver lining for the ruling BJP, as several of the independent parties, including BSP (4), BJD (7), TDP (2), AAP (3) and YSR-CP (2) came out in its support.

NDA constituent Janata Dal (United) with six members, however, walked out of the House in protest, while all other allies of the BJP like the Shiv Sena, Shiromani Akali Dal, AGP and BPF strongly supported the move.

Even the TMC with 13 members, while protesting over procedural issues relating to the way the proposals are being considered in the House, also staged a walkout, which brought number of MPs down.

Soon after Home Minister Amit Shah spoke, BSP member Satish Chandra Misra rose to say that his party supported the Bill. “Our party gives complete support. We want that the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 and the other Bill,” he said amid applause from members of the BJP.

V Vijaysai Reddy (YSR Congress) said the subject had affected the country for many years. He termed this as a courageous decision by the Home Minister. He said had Jawaharlal Nehru entrusted the task of handling Kashmir to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, one would not have been discussing this issue.

Condemning PDP members for tearing official papers, Prasanna Acharya (BJD) said it was a black day for Parliament. “I condemn this. I and my party unequivocally condemns this,” he said while claiming that J&K has become an integral part of India.