As Assembly elections near the pitch for and against abrogation of Article 370 by BJP and other political parties like National Conference, Congress and Peoples Democratic Party gets more confused. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who ignited a debate on the issue during the Parliamentary elections. Barring political parties there is a consensus among large segment of the population about the harm it has done. Jammu and Kashmir is not the only state to enjoy special status. The Constitution’s Article 371 provides special status in earmarked spheres to a number of other states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Nagaland among others. Special status does not mean alienation of the state from the main stream. Like J and K, Uttarakhand too restricts purchase of property by outsiders, but that does not mean development has not stepped into it. The Article has not done well for J and K and most of its economy thrives on central funds. Had there been no central support as such what would have been the fate of financial health of the State one can imagine. Being a hilly state the fiscal benefits from the Central pool is much higher compared to some of the poorer states like Bihar. Even this Article could not insulate the State from a violent separatist insurgency which has been the biggest hurdle for civilian population to invest and continue with economic activities. If other states with special status can integrate with national mainstream then why cannot J and K? Is that political masters wanted it to keep alienated and use this widening gap to push the State closer to neighbour across the border. BJP and Sangh Parivar always maintained that there can be complete integration of J and K only when the Article is scrapped. But now BJP too seems to have softened the stance on the issue. Even Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Kishtwar reiterated the party’s stand on abrogation of the Article thus making it pivotal for the present elections.
