State Congress asks Akali Dal to clear its stand on Article 370
Thursday, 29/05/2014
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CHANDIGARH: Taking a cue from the BJP’s minister of state in the Prime Minister Office (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh, the Punjab unit of the Congress on Wednesday asked the Shiromani Akali Dal to clarify its stand on Article 370 that granst special status to J&K.
“The Cong ress would like to know the political stance of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his party, the SAD, on the issue as the Akali party has always been vociferous votaries of a federal structure with more powers to the states of India, which finds special mention in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution as well, ”Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khiara said in a statement issued here.
“Any ambiguity, suspense or dichotomy on this issue by Badal would only mean that he supports abrogation of Article 370 and that his oft-re peated demand of more powers to the states is nothing but political gimmickry,” Khaira added.
“Now again, under a wellplanned conspiracy, a minister in the PMO has sought a debate on this critical and sensitive political issue, knowing well its devastating implications,” the statement read further.
