Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that unconditional dialogue with all stakeholders can solve the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. Stating that Article 370 will stay, the former CM promised that his party would review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state once elected.
“We will appoint three interlocutors from the civil societyand we also have previous report on Jammu and Kashmir submitted by theinterlocutors appointed earlier,” Azad said at a press conference in Jammubefore releasing the party’s manifesto for the upcoming parliamentary polls.
He said that Congress would involve all stakeholders tosolve the crisis, adding, “There will be no pre-conditions to hold dialoguebecause we want to listen to everyone and know their viewpoints before takingany decision.”
“If our government is formed, we will also hold free andfair Assembly polls at the earliest,” he said.
Clearing party’s stand on Article 370 of the IndianConstitution guaranteeing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said,”Article 370 has been there for last 70 years and it will continue to stay.”
Azad said that Congress has stood witness to thedevelopments in Jammu and Kashmir since the Instrument of Accession was signedon October 26, 1947, adding that the party affirms that the whole of Jammu andKashmir is part of India.
“We also acknowledge the unique history of the state andunique circumstances under which the state acceded to India that led to theinclusion of Article 370 in the Constitution of India. Nothing will be done orallowed to change the constitutional position,” Azad assured.
Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of thecountry, Azad however added that Congress party will also review AFSPA andDisturbed Areas Act (DAA) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and any decisiontaken will be in the best interest of security forces and the people.