Will restore Art 370, J&K’s statehood: National Conference in manifesto

Adil Akhzer

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Srinagar, August 19

The National Conference on Monday promised restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, besides statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, in its manifesto for the Assembly elections slated to begin next month.

Party vice-president Omar Abdullah and other senior leaders announced 12 guarantees, including 200 units of free electricity, repeal of the Public Safety Act, release of political prisoners and free education till university level if the party was voted to power.

The poll promises are aimed at striking a chord with public, but fulfilling these remains a challenge given the fact there are limited decision-making powers available with the elected government.

Asked how they would restore the special status, Abdullah said the party would “fight it politically” with the hope that “things will change in the country”. “We have never said we will do this overnight, but we are not going to leave this fight. We are assuring people that we will not sit silent on these issues,” said Abdullah.

He said the Supreme Court had “upheld 370” thrice before its final December 2022 ruling in the matter. “Can’t we have hope that a time will come when the SC will change its decision. If the BJP didn’t concede defeat after three (SC) rulings, should we concede defeat after one decision?” he said.

While promising “restoration of political and legal status”, the party said: “In the interim period, we will endeavour to redraw the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, and the Transaction of Business of the UT JK Rules, 2019.”

The party promised passage of a resolution against the “Centre’s decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status” in the first list of business after elections. Abdullah said they would move the Supreme Court to secure the restoration of statehood. “In the unlikely event that the Centre is not willing to do it out of own will, we will go to the SC to get justice,” he said.

It would make efforts “to modify, annul, and repeal post-August 5, 2019, laws that impact the special status of J&K”, the party’s poll document said.

In the manifesto, the party said it would implement the 2000 autonomy resolution passed by the erstwhile Assembly. The resolution, seeking restoration of the pre-1953 constitutional position in the state, was rejected by the Centre. It also talked about the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

Besides, it would address and rectify cases of “unjust job terminations”, simplify the job verification process and ease the passport verification process. Over 50 J&K employees had been terminated by the UT administration over “anti-national” activities.

The party vowed to provide one lakh jobs to youth, besides 12 cylinders free of cost per year to those from the economically weaker section, and work towards establishing a minority commission.

Free monthly rice allocation would be raised to 10 kg per person and steps would be taken to restrict import of apples, said the manifesto.

The NC further promised restoration of the old pension scheme and full Darbar Move, besides correcting the reservation policy — youth in the Valley are opposed to the new quota policy as percentage of seats for open merit candidates has further shrunk. “We will get a state back first. Within the state, all powers required to fulfil these promises are with the government of J&K and we will fulfil these promises,” said Abdullah on the party strategy to deliver on its poll promises.