People’s Conference (PC) president Sajad Lone released his party’s manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The manifesto has made big promises of restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and reinstating the special status of the state. Lone made it clear that his party will support any proposal in the assembly that will be brought to restore Article 370.
“If a resolution comes up in the assembly to restore Article 370, we will support it. If such a resolution does not come up, we will bring it down,” Lone told reporters. However, he also said that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir can be restored only by Parliament.
What are the main promises made in the manifesto
– Restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
– Restoration of special status of the state.
– Formation of a special judicial commission to investigate the rigging of the 1987 assembly elections.
– End the confiscation of government properties, demolition drives and dismissal from government jobs.
– Rehabilitation of conflict victims, repeal of draconian laws and protection of human rights.
Lone said, “We have to jointly agitate for the restoration of Article 370. It is a federal solution that has been created with many provinces and has been adopted globally for the last 200 years.” He expressed confidence that a federal solution equal to Article 370 will be available as Indian democracy evolves. Additionally, Lone ruled out the possibility of a pre-poll alliance, saying the PC will contest the elections alone. He said he will most likely contest from Handwara and Kupwara seats.
Reacting to BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav’s comments, Lone said these statements were made to benefit the National Conference and the PDP. He accused the BJP of making false statements to maintain the status quo. The People’s Conference has pledged in its manifesto to support legislative and other efforts to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-2019 constitutional status.