BJP to scrap Article 370 if voted back to power: Amit Shah

Shimla: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said Article 370 that gives special powers to Kashmir will be scrapped if Narendra Modi is elected as Prime Minister again.

Addressing his first rally at Chogan Maidan in Chamba district, Mr. Shah said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said there should be another Prime Minister for the State whereas Congress in its manifesto declared it will review Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir and amend provisions of sedition law.

All this indicated their mindset but if the BJP comes to power again and Mr. Modi becomes Prime Minister, Article 370 will be removed for sure, he added.

The BJP chief is campaigning in support of Kangra BJP candidate Kishan Kapoor.

Targeting the Congress on the issue of national security, he said the Manmohan Singh-led previous Congress government did nothing when Pakistan beheaded five India soldiers but under Modi rule airstrikes were carried out in Balakot.

Mr. Shah pointed out that Congress leader Sam Pitroda said instead of airstrikes, “we should talk to militants”.

Targeting Mr. Pitroda further, the BJP chief said, “If you ask a question regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Congress says ‘hua to hua’. If you ask a question regarding the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and migration of Kashmiri Pandits, Congress says ‘hua to hua’.”

Mr. Shah also noted that it was for the first time that the Opposition has not made corruption an issue as it has been “wiped out” during the Modi government.

Counting various development works done in HP under the Modi government, Mr. Shah said, “Process is on to set up an international airport at Mandi. It will be done after Modi government comes to power again at the Centre.”

Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar were present in the rally.

The Congress has pitted sitting MLA Pawan Kajal against H.P. Minister Kishan Kapoor from Kangra.

The BJP chief is scheduled to address two more rallies later in the day in HP’s Bilaspur and Nahan in support of BJP candidates Anurag Thakur and Suresh Kashyap from Hamirpur and Shimla Lok Sabha seats respectively.