Will bring back Article 370 and separate flag: National Conference Minister Saifullah's statement

The issues of Article 370 and a separate flag have once again heated up the political arena of Jammu and Kashmir. A statement by National Conference leader and recently sworn-in cabinet minister Mir Saifullah has sparked a political controversy in the state. During an event in Kupwara, Saifullah announced that his party is committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's separate flag and Article 370. He claimed that the struggle to reclaim everything that was snatched away on 5 August 2019 has now begun.

According to a News18 report, Mir Saifullah stated during his address in Kupwara that the flag and state symbol of Jammu and Kashmir were gifts given by the National Conference. He said in clear words that only the National Conference can bring this flag back and no other party has this kind of capability or standing. Saifullah further added that the division and reduction of the status of Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019 was akin to injustice. He appealed to all political parties to come together for the reinstatement of this flag. Saifullah was visiting Kupwara for the first time after being included in Omar Abdullah's cabinet on 27 October, where he made this controversial statement.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a sharp attack against this statement. Rejecting Saifullah's claims, BJP leader Sunil Sharma said that Article 370 has now become history. The BJP has made it clear that no power on earth can reimpose the system of two flags or two constitutions in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the BJP, Omar Abdullah's government has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people, due to which such hollow promises and emotional slogans are being used to divert the public's attention. The BJP further stated that the people of Kashmir are now aware of the National Conference's real intentions and they are not going to fall for such allurements.

In his address, the National Conference leader also said that in the past, the pre-1953 status, Article 370, and the separate flag were secured by the National Conference itself. He expressed hope that even though they have to start from zero right now, one day they will definitely succeed. Following this entire sequence of events, a high degree of warmth is witnessed in the political circles of Jammu and Kashmir, where on one hand the ruling party is trying to revive old issues, while on the other hand, the opposition is calling it constitutionally impossible.

Omar Abdullah is a prominent leader of this party and is currently serving as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.