Centre's Article 370 move 'harebrained': C'garh Cong minister

The Congress in Chhattisgarh on Monday hit out at the Narendra Modi government over the decision to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and dubbed it a 'harebrained' act to demolish the federal structure of the country.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision in the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.

"The decision of scrapping Article 370 is a mockery of the basic structure of the Constitution. This harebrained decision can threaten the existence of every state in India, since it is unconstitutional and forced," Chhattisgarh Health and Family Welfare Minister TS Singh Deo said.

"The Centre, with its simple majority in Parliament, has demolished the country's federal structure," he said, adding that it had created uncertainty in other states.

"They (Centre) can impose President's Rule in Chhattisgarh and merge it with Madhya Pradesh from which it was carved out," he said.

Former chief minister and BJP national vice president Raman Singh hailed the decision.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have done historic work to spread the light of nationalism throughout the country by rectifying a historical mistake, he said.

"The Centre's initiative has not only realised the sacrifice of Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, but also has realised the dream seen by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of one nation, one flag and one constitution," he added.

BJP workers took out rally from its city office 'Ekatma Parisar' in Rajbandha Maidan area till Jai Stambh Chowk to commemorate the decision.

Former chief minister and head of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) Ajit Jogi welcomed the move and said his party unconditionally supported the Centre's decision to repeal Article 370.

Kashmir was an integral part of the country and will remain so, Jogi added.