Odisha supports Modi Govt’s resolution to scrap Article 370

New Delhi: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of Odisha today supported the resolution proposed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament to scrap Article 370 of Indian Constitution.

The regional party of India came out in support of the historic move that will decide the destiny of Jammu & Kashmir.

“I support this resolution. My party BJD supports this resolution. Even though, we are a regional party, but the nation is first for us,” said BJD MP Prasanna Acharya during debate on the resolution in Rajya Sabha.

“We have our regional aspiration. But for us, our motherland comes first ahead of everything,” the parliamentarian said.

He lauded Shah for the move after 70 years of ongoing crisis in Kashmir valley, saying the J&K now seems to be integral part of India.

“We have been saying that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral of India. Is it really integral part where the Constitution of India could not be implemented? An Indian citizen is not allowed to buy property there that we claim as part of the country. I would like to thank Home Minister Amit Shah that Jammu & Kashmir is now integral part of India in true sense,” Acharya said in his speech.

With batting for removal of Article 370, he expressed long-standing wish on behalf of the country to see Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to become part of Kashmir and India.

“The 130 crore population of India has been eagerly waiting for the day when the POK becomes integral part of the nation,” he said.

Even after expressing concern about the freedom of Kashmiris over scrapping of the law, he assured the House that Centre’s move will free them from torment.

“We are very concerned about the freedom of people in Kashmir. We want to redeem people of Kashmir from torture. We want to take people of Kashmir at par the rest of India. But, at the same time, we are forgetting what happened to the Kashmiri pundits in the past 70 years,” Acharya said.

Being a part of the 4-hour-long debate in the Upper House, he questioned, “Was anybody certainly shading crocodile tears for Kashmiri pundits? Is anyone concerned about them?

The voice of BJD member reverberated in the Parliament after Shah on Monday proposed to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

During presentation of the resolution, he said the state will be split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.

Making a historic announcement in the Rajya Sabha that triggered bedlam, Shah said: “I am presenting the resolution to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir except the first clause 370 (1).”

Following his speech amid opposition protests, at times drowning his voice, the House was adjourned. It later resumed business.