The Hindu : Bardhan calls for Central rule in Gujarat, not J&K

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 22, 2002

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Bardhan calls for Central rule in Gujarat, not J&K

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR JULY 21. The Communist Party of India today opposed the "move" for imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that it was Gujarat which should be brought under Central rule in order to ensure free and fair elections. The party also termed the trifurcation demand of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a "divisive and dangerous slogan''.

At the end of the two-day conference of Kashmir Council, the CPI general secretary, A.B. Bardhan, told a press conference that imposition of Governor's rule would have sinister implications in so far as Kashmir was concerned. "We do not think it is necessary. There are methods by which the Election Commission can ensure free and fair elections in the State,'' he said adding that "again and again Article 356 interfered with the democratic process". Also, elections should not be deferred. "No such step should be taken to vitiate the atmosphere''. He appealed to all political parties, including the Hurriyat, to join the democratic process.

On whether elections in Gujarat should be held under Central rule, he said: "yes, I do feel so''. The same Government, which carried out communal carnage by conniving with the rioters, is holding elections, which is not fair, he said. "Chauvinism, communalism and Hindutva is not supposed to ensure free and fair elections in Gujarat.''

Vociferously supporting the demand for autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Bardhan said the relationship between that State and the Indian union was not the same as with Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It has a special status and it acceded to India on some basis rejecting the "two-nation theory". Successive Governments in New Delhi had never honoured Article 370, which caused the further alienation of the people in the State. It might not be possible to go back to pre-1953 status but a dialogue was needed with the political parties in Kashmir. Organisations such as the RSS were indirectly pursuing the Pakistani agenda by demanding a trifurcation of the State and "this is a dangerous move and more dangerous is the double-speak of the BJP which has the RSS at its top and also rejects the demand''.

Flanked by Shameem Faize and A.R. Tukroo, MLC, Mr. Bardhan said the promises made by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, had not been carried out fully. India should keep in mind that "we have to fight the battle against terrorism on our own''.

For 20 years, we have been doing it and no one has come to support us."

However, he praised the role of the international community in its efforts to de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan.

Mr. Bardhan said it was time for downsizing the troops on the borders as the people, particularly farmers, were suffering in those areas. The conference re-elected Mr. Tukroo as State secretary of Kashmir Council for another term.

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