The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has extended all-out support for repeal of Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for taking such a move. Party MP Prasanna Achrya has also supported the move of the NDA Government in this regard.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Shah had announced in the Rajya Sabha that the Government has decided to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to J and K.
The Government has also decided to bifurcate the State into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a legislature, and Ladakh, which will be without a legislature. “The entire constitution will be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir State,” Shah said, ending the State’s rights to make its own laws.
In a subsequent order, President Ram Nath Kovind had issued orders in this regard, which has been notified in a Gazzette.
Shah’s announcement was immediately followed by massive uproar in the Upper House with opposition MPs protesting in the Well of the House.
Back in the valley, three of Jammu and Kashmir's most prominent politicians — Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah and Sajjad Lone are under house arrest amid a massive security-built up in the State. Internet services and mobile services have been suspended in several places and all public gatherings are banned in Srinagar district as section 144 was imposed from midnight.
Several political parties have supported the move including BJD, BSP, AIDMK, TRS and YSRCP.