'Article 370 is the unifying factor in Jammu-Kashmir': Saifuddin Soz

Jammu and Kashmir Congress Chief Saifuddin Soz on Monday asked what had the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) done when they were in power on Article 370 that provides subsidised benefits and a special status to the people of the state, while asserting that it is the unifying factor in the state.

His reaction came a day after BJP's prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi demanded a public debate on Article 370, while addressing a rally here.

"When the BJP came to power, did they do anything with the Article 370? Article 370 is irrevocable. It is an integral part of the Constitution of India; no power is capable enough to remove it completely. It has a permanent nature in India. Article 370 is the unifying factor in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Congress Party fully accepts this factor,' Soz told media here today.

Soz further ridiculed Modi saying that he felt sorry for the saffron outfit for choosing a prime ministerial candidate who is unaware of history or politics.

"I see Modi's impact on ground and it is zero. This is because he is not an organised politician, and he sometimes doesn't know what he says. I feel sorry for the BJP, as I have known them for a long time, for choosing a candidate who knows propaganda but does not know history or politics,' he said.

Soz referred to the Nazi propaganda style associated with Joseph Goebbels, who was considered to be Adolf Hitler's closest aide, and hoped that BJP soon realizes its mistake of naming Modi as its prime ministerial candidate.

"In modern times, even Goebbelsian style of propaganda is not acceptable. It is a changed world now. Even Germany there is a sea change. A Goebbelsian practice of speaking facts that is not historically correct,' he said.

"But I have convinced myself that BJP will realise this mistake that their prime ministerial candidate does not answer the requirements at all,' he added.