Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticized the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition over a resolution passed in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly advocating for the restoration of Article 370. He firmly stated that the abrogated article would not be reinstated, even over successive generations of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar.
“National Conference and Congress party passed a resolution in the J&K assembly to bring back Article 370, that Kashmir is not an integral part of India. Today, I am saying it on the land of Sambhaji Maharaj—Sharad Pawar sahab, even if your four generations come, we will not let Article 370 be back,” Shah declared.
Shah also addressed the renaming of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar, criticizing the MVA and Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the change. “The MVA and Uddhav Thackeray oppose this move, but the name will remain Sambhajinagar,” he asserted.
Accusing the MVA of engaging in ‘appeasement politics,’ Shah highlighted concerns regarding provisions of the Waqf board established by the Congress party. He referenced a bill introduced by Prime Minister Modi in Parliament aimed at reforming these provisions, citing instances in Karnataka where entire villages, including temples and personal lands, were declared Waqf property.
“I have come to ask Pawar Sahab and Uddhav ji, tell me whether you will support the bill or oppose it. They’ll not answer. If they (Maha Vikas Aghadi) come to power, they will also try to transfer the land of the farmers in the name of the Waqf board,” Shah contended.
He assured that as long as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government remains in power, it will protect the lands of temples and farmers from such actions.
Discussing the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Shah criticized the Congress for delaying its construction, noting that Ram Lalla resided in a tent for 500 years. He credited Prime Minister Modi for initiating and completing the temple’s construction, including the Bhoomi Pujan and Pran Pratishtha ceremonies. Shah pointed out that leaders like Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, and Uddhav Thackeray did not attend these ceremonies, suggesting they feared losing their vote banks. He also mentioned the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and plans to build the Somnath temple in gold.
Shah emphasized that only the Mahayuti government can end appeasement politics. He contrasted the financial allocations to Maharashtra during different administrations, stating that from 2004 to 2014, under the MVA’s rule, the state received Rs 1.91 lakh crore, whereas in the last 10 years, Prime Minister Modi’s government provided Rs 10.15 lakh crore.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP, aims to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
Sharad Pawar’s Stance on Article 370
Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has expressed nuanced views regarding Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Following its abrogation in August 2019, Pawar criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for using the issue as a diversion from pressing national concerns. He stated, “Since the BJP does not have anything concrete to show, they are harping on abrogation of Article 370 in J&K.”
Pawar also questioned the BJP’s focus on Article 370 during election campaigns, suggesting it was a tactic to sidestep discussions on issues like farmer suicides, unemployment, and industrial closures. He remarked, “Question them about farmer suicides, unemployment, closure of industries, and the BJP replies Article 370.”
Also read: CEC Condemns Derogatory Remarks Against Women in Election Campaign, Directs Stern Action
While Pawar acknowledged the abrogation, he emphasized the importance of addressing the rights and welfare of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted, “We will be happy if the people of Kashmir get some rights.”
In summary, Sharad Pawar has criticized the BJP’s emphasis on Article 370, advocating for a focus on broader national issues and the well-being of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents.
