Congress affirms stand on Article 370 verdict, seeks immediate statehood and elections

Article 370 verdict: In a press conference held at the AICC headquarters, the Congress asserted that the debate over the abrogation of Article 370 was concluded following the Supreme Court's verdict, emphasising that the decision is binding on everyone.

Addressing the media, P Chidambaram and Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Spokespersons and MPs, clarified that the Congress was neither a petitioner nor a stakeholder in the petitions challenging Article 370's abrogation. Therefore, there is no intention to seek a review of the judgment.

Acceptance of SC's Final Word

Dr Singhvi highlighted the Supreme Court's role as the final authority according to the Constitution, stating that while opinions can vary, the law is binding. The Congress firmly accepted the Supreme Court's decision, reaffirming its commitment to the security, peace, and progress of Jammu & Kashmir.

Disagreement on Manner of Abrogation

Mr Chidambaram expressed respectful disagreement with the judgment regarding the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated. He reiterated the party's disagreement through the CWC resolution of August 6, 2019. The party expressed disappointment that the court did not address the issue of dismembering the state and reducing its status to two Union Territories, leaving it for future adjudication.

Call for Immediate Elections

While welcoming the SC's decision to restore the statehood of J&K, the Congress urged for its immediate implementation. The party emphasized its long-standing demand for the full restoration of statehood, welcoming the court's direction on this matter. The leaders urged for prompt assembly elections, questioning the BJP's hesitation in allowing an elected government.

Democracy Over Autocracy

The Congress leaders stressed the importance of direct elections to the legislative assembly, a key feature of representative democracy, asserting that democracy, not autocracy, is the demand of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. They questioned the prolonged governance by a selected government and called for an end to this approach, advocating for the restoration of democratic processes in the region.