Disagrees with Supreme court: Congress on Article 370
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New Delhi: Article 370 of the Constitution deserved to be honoured until it was amended strictly adhering to the Constitution, Congress said on Monday, stating that the party respectfully disagrees with the Supreme Court upholding the BJP government's abrogation of the same, IANS reported.
Congress said that it was disappointed that the top court did not decide on the dismembering of the erstwhile state and reducing its status into two Union Territories.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress leader P. Chidambaram said, "The judgement of the Supreme Court in the cases concerning the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution has decided many issues but has left open some issues that are also vitally important. It has also held as ultra vires the manner in which Art 367 was invoked to amend part of Article 370."
He said that the judgement needs careful study as it is a 476-page judgement, which was uploaded about half an hour ago.
"Prima facie, we respectfully disagree with the judgement on the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated. We reiterate the CWC resolution dated August 6, 2019, that Article 370 deserved to be honoured until it was amended strictly in accordance with the Constitution of India," the former Union minister said.
He said that we are also disappointed that the Supreme Court did not decide the question of dismembering the state and reducing its status to two Union Territories. That question has been reserved for adjudication in a suitable case in the future.
"The Congress has always demanded the restoration of full statehood for what has become the Union Territory of J&K. We welcome the Supreme Court's verdict in this regard. Full statehood must be restored immediately. The aspirations of the people of Ladakh must also be fulfilled," Chidambaram said.
He said that the Congress welcomes the Supreme Court's direction to hold assembly elections.
"However, we believe that the elections should be held immediately, and there is no reason to wait until September 30," he said.