Art 370 should help in integration of J&K with mainstream:BJP

Appearing to be sobering stance, BJP President Rajnath Singh today said the party will have no objection to Article 370 which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir if it helps in the state's development.
At the same time, he said the party will not compromise if the controversial Article acts as a hurdle in the state's full integration with the national mainstream.
"J&K is a very serious, very sensitive region for us... If J&K develops because of Article 370, then we have no objection in keeping it," Singh said in his inaugural addresses at the two-day National Executive meet of the party.

Repeal of Article 370 is one of the core issues of BJP and it has been aggressively campaigning for it.
Singh went on to add that there is no change in BJP's stance on Jammu and Kashmir.
"On Article 370, our stand is the same... If J&K is not able to integrate with the national mainstream, if it is a conspiracy, then BJP will not accept Article 370 in any way," he said.

These remarks, however, did not form part of the BJP chief's written speech which was distributed to the media.
The written speech said, "Owing to the wrong policies of the Congress government, the issue of J&K has been embroiled in problems since our Independence. Due to its weak policies and Article 370, Congress has kept Jammu and Kashmir away from the mainstream of development in the country."

Maintaining that BJP considers Jammu Kashmir as integral part of India, he said, "We are against giving leverage to any anti-national elements. We are resolute in getting development to the poor population of Kashmir, which they lack even after 67 years of independence.
"We strongly condemn the questions being raised by Congress and its allies regarding the status of Kashmir in India. Besides being a subject of integrity of India, Kashmir strikes an emotional chord for the party as our founder Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee became a martyr for Kashmir cause.