Srinagar, August 05: Former minister and senior National Conference (NC) leader Aga Rohullah Mehdi on Wednesday clarified if party will only rely upon statehood demand and give up the voice over Article 370, his route will be different then.

Rohullah said he will not contest any election in J&K till special status of J&K is not restored. “There is no doubt in my stand. I expressed in media repeatedly that I will not contest elections till special status of J&K under Article 370 and 35(A) is not restored”, he said.

Roohulla said the state of J&K did a “conditional accession” to union of India in 1947 in which regional autonomy was a prime term between the stakeholders but unfortunately this autonomy was “brutally” harmed during these the last seven decades.

“On August 5, 2019, our regional autonomy was forcibly snatched while BJP took an unconstitutional decision with the connivance of Parliament”, Rohullah said and adding “every person living in J&K should have to respond these unilateral diktats”.

He added the decisions taken on August 5 last year will not choke avenues for present generation only but it will snatch due rights of future generations as well and push J&K into further uncertainty.

Roohullah in last week tendered his resignation from party’s chief spokesperson post hours after party’s vice-president and former chief minister of J&K Omar Abdullah wrote an opinion in national daily where he did surreptitiously put forth his demand of restoration of statehood to J&K.

Meanwhile terming the demand of statehood to J&K “ordinary”, NC leader said that New Delhi snatched our rights while scrapping Article 370 which was the fundamental of covenant of accession with the Union of India, so the demand of statehood by some political parties is very much cheap at this moment.

He added “our struggle” for restoration of Article 370 will remain continue till it is not given back to us. “India has broken every promise made to J&K. No question arises regarding contesting elections till special status is not restored”, he clarified.

When asked what will be your response if NC too will go ahead with the demand of statehood only, Ruhullah said it is premature to say anything about future.

“We will meet and decide in the interest of J&K and its people. I can’t say anything at this juncture. Let working committee of the party meet and decide future course of action”, he said.

“If any adverse will come to fore from the party, then people know me what my stand is? I will positively drive on a separate route”, he added. (KNS)