Congress divided over the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir

The Congress party is divided over the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories. There are some regional leaders of the party who have supported the Modi government’s decision as they see it as a matter of national importance. However, the elitist top brass of the Congress is not ready to support the abrogation and bifurcation.

“United we stand! Jai Hind #Article370,” tweeted Aditi Singh, MLA Raebareli Sadar and a popular leader of Congress party in Uttar Pradesh. When a user pointed out that “Aap to Congressi ho” which literally translates into ‘you are Congress member’, Singh replied that “Main ek Hindustani hoon” which translates into ‘I am Indian’.

Deepender Hooda, a senior leader of Haryana Congress and three times MP has also supported the Modi government’s move. ‘I have opined before that Article 370 is irrelevant in the 21^st century and it should be removed. The abolition is crucial to the integrity of the country and beneficial for the people of Jammu & Kashmir’, tweeted Hooda. 

Milind Deora, former Union Minister and a prominent face of Maharashtra Congress asked the parties to put aside ideological fixations. “Very unfortunate that Article 370 is being converted into a liberal vs conservative debate. Parties should put aside ideological fixations & debate what’s best for India’s sovereignty & federalism, peace in J&K, jobs for Kashmiri youth & justice for Kashmiri Pandits,” tweeted Deora.

Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha, Bhubaneswar Kalita has resigned over the party’s stand on Modi government’s decision to abolish Article 370. “I have resigned from the Rajya Sabha membership today,” tweeted Kalita. According to Kalita, “whip was against the nation’s sentiments.” In the resignation letter, he also said, “The Congress leadership is trying to completely destroy the party. No one can stop the Congress party from destruction.”

Another senior Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi differed with his party line and backed the Modi government’s decision to abrogate Article 370. He said, “This historical mistake that happened at the time of independence has been rectified today, even though late, and is welcomed.”

These leaders of Congress party are aware of the sentiments of the common people and have supported the decision of the government. These leaders know that almost every commoner of the country wants Kashmir to be an ‘integral’ part of India.

With its opposition to Article 370, Congress has proven again that it has lost touch from the rest of India. Even many opposition parties including BJD and YSRCP have backed the government on the issue but Congress has decided to go against it. If the Congress party does not choose to ‘realign’ itself on the ideological spectrum, soon the party will die.

Even the common Congress members feel that the top brass of the party is hell-bent on making itself irrelevant in emerging nationalist India. The official stand of the party on important national issues is not in sync with that of the general populace. The abolition of Article 370 is not the only issue where Congress has opposed the general sentiment of the people of India. The party chose not to stand with the majority opinion on Triple Talaq Bill, it also expressed doubts over Balakot airstrike by Modi government.

The official stand of the party on ideological issues has ensured that it will not come back to power for another few decades. The new emerging India wants non-dynastic, corruption-free, nationalist government, a government which could make the people safe, secure, and enable them to become prosperous. The Congress party has failed to stand for these principles.