Srinagar, July 27: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday resolved that NC has not backtracked from Gupkar Declaration and reiterated that a concrete strategy will be chalked out once leaders in prison will walk out.
Talking to Shaherbeen Radio Program, senior Abdullah said that party’s stand over Article 370 & 35(A) has not changed. “Our stand is clear on Article 370 & 35(A). There is no change in it. Party stands on Gupkar Declaration”, he said.
He said GoI has “unconstitutionally” snatched the special status of J&K and urged for immediate repeal of decisions taken on August 5, 2019. “New Delhi has snatched special status of J&K under Article 370 & 35(A) unconstitutionally but we will bring it back with a constitutional fight”, Dr Abdullah said.
He added the tall claims of development in J&K post-abrogation of Article 370 are prank which New Delhi is using to hoodwink its countrymen. He also added that the process of delimitation is absolute “wrong exercise” and an attempt to change the demographic character of J&K which will be resisted tooth and nail.
“NC will resist delimitation process sternly as it is purely aimed to change the demographic character of J&K”, NC President said.
When asked why NC kept grave silence after August 5, 2019, Dr Abdullah said “Party has not changed its stand on this core issue. We will draft future course of action once leaders in prison will walk out”.
On August 4, a day before the government unanimously abrogated Article 370 and downsized the state of Jammu and Kashmir to two union territories, the leadership of all political parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met at the Gupkar residence of Dr Farooq Abdullah to discuss the panic triggered by massive deployment of security forces and several government advisories halting Amarnath Yatra and eviction of tourists from the Valley.
At the meeting, the party leaders came out with a resolve to “remain together and stand united” to safeguard the identity, autonomy, and special status of the State” in what came to be known as the Gupkar declaration. (KNS)