Goa CM, other BJP leaders hail move to repeal Article 370

As leaders from the ruling BJP in Goa, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, congratulated the Centre on Monday for its decision to repeal Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Assembly Speaker said a motion hailing the move will be tabled in the House.

The issue was raised in the Assembly, which is having its monsoon session, by Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP) soon after the House reassembled post lunch break.

When Dhavalikar stood up to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "assault on terrorism activity," BJP Minister Nilesh Cabral pointed out that the issue was not on the Assembly's agenda.

"We will move a motion congratulating the Centre later during the current session. That time, everyone can speak on it, Sawant said.

Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said the congratulatory motion will be moved on the floor of the House "sometime later".

The session is scheduled to end on August 9.

While leaders could not congratulate the Centre on the floor of the House, a majority of them took to Twitter to hail the decision to do away with the contentious Article of the Constitution.

"A historic decision by Modi Sarkar towards unity, integrity and national sovereignty. I congratulate PM Shri @narendramodi ji and HM Shri @AmitShah ji for the bold step. #Article370 #35A, Sawant tweeted.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane tweeted, "I bow to our honbleShri @Amitshah ji (Home Minister) for his constant efforts in revoking #Article370.

"This move will now pave the way for development, progress and most importantly peace in #JammuAndKashmir.

Deputy Speaker Isidore Fernandes called it a "bold" decision, which he said, will go a long way to ensure peace in the militancy-affected state.