Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national vice-president and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan Saturday said that as of now BJP has no plan to see Article 35 A scrapped as it’s sub-judice.
Addressing a press conference here, Chauhan, who is also themembership drive incharge of the BJP for entire country, said that “there is notruth in the rumours that Article 35 A will be rolled-back.”
“Article 35 A is a sub-judice. This issue is in the court.The BJP has not discussed any proposal to see it scrapped as of now,” saidChauhan, who is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to take stock of the partyactivities and the ongoing membership drive of the party that commenced on 7July and would end on 7 August.
Chauhan, the three time chief minister of Madhya Pradesh,said instead of seeking roll back of Article 35 A, BJP’s primary focus is togain ground in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
To a query as to why the additional 100 companies ofsecurity forces were brought to J&K on the directions of Ministry of HomeAffairs, Chauhan, who was flanked by BJP state chiefRavinder Raina, said:”Deployment of additional security forces is a routine exercise. Some peopleare unnecessarily linking it with the Article 35 A.”
He said that at present BJP wants to strengthen the party inthe state. “BJP’s J&K unit is doing well and I am satisfied with theongoing membership drive. People from different walks of life are joining us ondaily basis which is a good sign,” said Chauhan.
Taking a dig at the National Conference and PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP), Chauhan said that these parties “promoted family ruleand filled their own pockets by looting state resources” in the same way”Congress did in New Delhi.”
“Today, Congress isnowhere in the country. Their captain (Rahul Gandhi) who was supposed to pullout the sinking ship was the first one to drag his feet from the party,” hesaid.
Chauhan said that BJP will emerge as a largest party and nopower can stop it from becoming people’s best choice.