Art 370 abrogation fulfilled 'ek desh, ek-vidhan..' pledge: Anandiben Patel

Terming the neutralisation Jammu and Kashmir-centric articles 370 and 35A a "historic" step, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Tuesday said the move was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution.

Addressing a special joint sitting of both houses of the state legislature to commemorate 70 years of the adoption of the Constitution, she said "The abrogation of Article 370 provisions and Article 35 A in Jammu and Kashmir is historic and according to the pledge in Preamble of the Constitution.

"Now same laws will be applicable in the entire country. The dream of 'ek desh ek vidhan, ek nishan' (one country, one law and flag) has been fulfilled," the governor said.

Referring to Article 370 in his address to both houses of the legislature, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "At that time (when the Constitution was being drafted) Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had expressed his opposition to Article 370."
Adityanath brgan his speech, saying, "Today is a golden-letter day in the annals of the UP legislature. Four words -- 'nyaay' (justice), 'swatantrata' (liberty), 'samta' (equality) and 'bandhtva' (fraternity) represent the basic spirit of the Constitution. The Constitution gives right to the people to think and work for the country despite coming from different background."
"We are talking about eradicating hunger and poverty. We want to discuss about better health and security. When we are recalling those who had implemented the Constitution, the Congress which had been in power for the maximum time in the name of greatmen is absent from the House," he said