Ghulam Nabi Azad takes dig at Rahul Gandhi’s yatra, warns against deceptive pledges on Article 370 restoration

Former Congress leader and ex-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, expressing skepticism about its potential influence. Azad suggested that if Congress manages to retain its presence in even a single ruling state post the Yatra, it would be deemed a noteworthy achievement, considering the party’s recent electoral setbacks that led to the loss of three states.
Addressing the contentious issue of Article 370, Azad criticized those who promise to restore it, stating that individuals who advocated for Self Rule, Aaazadi, and Autonomy in the past failed to fulfill their promises. He emphasized that only the Parliament and the Supreme Court have the authority to reintroduce Article 370. Azad called for a pragmatic approach to the region’s political complexities and cautioned against making unrealistic pledges.

On the issue of Article 370, Azad vehemently criticized those selling dreams of bringing back Article 370 and 35A after gaining power. He highlighted the irony of individuals who, in the past, deceived people in the name of Self Rule, Azadi, and Autonomy now attempting to do the same under the guise of reinstating Article 370 and 35A.

“In my first public meeting of my new party, I said that I tried a lot to gather all like-minded parties in favor of Article 370; 86% were against us. No matter how many seats someone gets in Assembly elections; even if someone gets 100 out of 100 seats, they will be able to do nothing. If someone says that they will bring back 370 after getting into power in the state, they are fooling. Those who said Self Rule, Aaazadi, Autonomy and got into power, they did nothing. Only Parliament and Supreme Court can bring it back; the ruling Government won’t bring it back; Supreme Court has rejected it. Maybe after 60-70 years, there is something that can bring it back,” he asserted.