by Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: As political parties gear up for the much-anticipated assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, a senior leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has voiced strong concerns over the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. In an exclusive interview, Sadhotra highlighted the adverse effects the revocation has had on employment, land ownership, and student scholarships in the region.
“The move to revoke Article 370 has led to a deepening crisis in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sadhotra asserted. “Issues such as unemployment, stalled development, and escalating militancy are fueling frustration among the people. When we initially resisted the revocation, we were dismissed, but now, years later, these problems only reinforce our stance.”
Sadhotra did not shy away from criticising the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for its role in the abrogation, noting that it took 70 years to undo Article 370, which also stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood and divided it into two Union Territories. “It hurts when Jammu and Kashmir is referred to as a Union Territory,” he said, assuring that the JKNC is committed to restoring Article 370, as outlined in its recently released manifesto.
Reflecting on the past five years, Sadhotra observed that while many in Jammu initially supported the abrogation, there is now a growing sense of regret. He pointed out that militancy, rather than decreasing as expected, has intensified, especially in Jammu, which is also grappling with setbacks in development and employment.
The issue of autonomy, long promised by the JKNC and reiterated in their manifesto, was also addressed by Sadhotra. He emphasized that India operates as a federal country, where people should have the right to make their own decisions, rather than having policies imposed upon them.
With the elections drawing near, talks of potential political alliances have intensified. Sadhotra confirmed ongoing discussions with Congress leadership, signaling a “clear possibility” of an alliance. He echoed sentiments expressed by senior Congress leader and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Tariq Karra, who recently spoke about the Congress forming alliances with like-minded parties.
Discussing JKNC’s prospects in the upcoming elections, Sadhotra asserted that the party remains strong across all constituencies, with voters increasingly disillusioned with the BJP. “There was a significant decline in the BJP’s vote share during the parliamentary elections, indicating a shift in the public’s mood. We are confident that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will reject the BJP in the future elections.”
Sadhotra further criticized the BJP for its failure to deliver on promises of job creation and development, citing ongoing issues with electricity, ration shortages, and unemployment. He expressed confidence that public dissatisfaction with the current situation in Jammu, including rising militancy and insecurity, would lead to a change in leadership.
Regarding recent amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which increased the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, Sadhotra cautioned that the focus should first be on winning the elections before addressing such concerns. “We should first think about reaching the bridge, then think about crossing it,” he remarked.
Sadhotra also expressed frustration over the region’s downgrade to Union Territory status, calling it a regrettable development. He accused the BJP of delaying the elections under the guise of waiting for the “appropriate time,” and suggested that without the Supreme Court’s intervention, the elections might not have been held at all.
