Article 370: Congress vows to stand with the people of Jammu and Kashmir

In the backdrop of the abrogation of the Article-370, the CWC meeting - that was held immediately after Parliament approved the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill - concluded that Congress should listen to diverse, sometimes contradictory views within the party but it will stick to its ideology and philosophy in the fight against BJP.

“Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India as one State and no government has the power to change its status or divide it or reduce any part of it to a Union Territory.

The Indian National Congress pledges to stand with the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and to fight the BJP and its divisive and diabolical agenda with every power in its hands. We urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace and calm,” reads the resolution adopted by the CWC after a three-hours long meeting.

A senior Congress leader who attended the meeting told on the condition of anonymity that both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi spoke very well in the meeting, highlighting the core of the Congress’ philosophy in the context of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the leader, Rahul Gandhi opined that different leaders represent different people and different regions, therefore it is natural that they speak in different voices. Congress is the party that respects and listens to all voices, Rahul reportedly observed in the meeting.

Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East), Priyanka Gandhi emphasised that the Congress should stick to its ideology and philosophy without thinking much about the BJP in the meeting, as per a leader who attended the CWC.

Her assertions drew a line that eventually resulted in consensus, said another leader, adding that Priyanka’s speech provided a hint to other leaders that Congress should not be seen as a divided house.

“Leaders should not violate principles of the party while expressing their views,” meant Priyanka.

Congress general secretary for the Uttar Pradesh (West) Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted in favor of the abrogation of the Article-370, crossing over party line just half an hour before the CWC started.

According to sources, CWC took notice of Scindia’s “embarrassing stand” also, but no acrimony followed the discussion.

Observers believe that the “flexibility” shown by senior Congress leaders and high-command over the violation of the party line by important leaders, underscores the split within the Congress over Article-370 as well as their will to stand together despite differences.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury whose articulation in Parliament left UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi shell-shocked, also attended the meet. His saying that Article-370 is not an internal matter invited wrath from the treasury benches. CWC also took cognizance of the damage done by Chowdhury’s speech, however, in an attempt to parry the blow, a leader was heard blaming it on media.