BJP deputes MLCs to educate people on ‘benefits’ of scrapping Art 370

Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 3

Amid prevailing uncertainty after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state, the BJP has deputed all its members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) to Kashmir Valley to educate the people about the ‘benefits’ of scrapping this provision of the Indian Constitution.

All 11 MLCs of the party, including the chairman of the Legislative Council, Anayat Ali, have been asked by the party leadership to reach out to the common masses of the Kashmir Valley to counter the ‘malicious’ propaganda launched by some parties post August 5.

Ali, a prominent face of the PDP in the Shia-dominated Kargil district of Ladakh region, had joined the BJP on August 26 along with his supporters. Anayat Ali had stated the people of Kargil, a Muslim-majority district, might not have demanded the UT status for Ladakh but they were happy following the announcement as it would lead to the Centre directly controlling its affairs, including development projects.

“We have been directed to reach out to different sections of society, especially ethnic groups of Kashmir Valley, to counter the campaign launched by supporters of separatists and main-stream parties against the abrogation of Article 370”, a BJP MLC, wishing anonymity, said, adding, “Specific tasks have been assigned to all MLCs and are directed to give progress report to the party leadership”.