Scrapping of Article 370 a 'Historic Blunder': Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati, August 6, 2019

Former Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday categorically criticized Congress MP Bhubaneswar Kalita over resigning from the party to get the post of ‘Governor of Ladakh’ and the BJP government for scrapping the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) claiming it to be a ‘historic blunder’ committed by the centre.

Addressing the media, Tarun Gogoi said, “The government has humiliated the people of Jammu and Kashmir by scrapping Article 370 in the state which will let to the escalation of tensions.”

“Without solving the existing issues, the government has ordered the arrest of former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah and other leaders,” he added.

Moreover, speaking on the resignation of the Bhubaneswar Kalita, Gogoi questioned “If Kalita does not defect to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where will he go?”

Gogoi added, “If he doesn’t defect to BJP, I will seek apology for my statement. The Bill was brought yesterday, how come Kalita knew about it earlier? Did he know about Article 370 earlier?”

“Why he did not discuss with the party?” Gogoi questioned further.

“Moreover in 2004, Bhubaneswar Kalita was appointed as the State President of Congress Party. He wanted both to be the president as well as ministry during that time but I insisted to him for presidentship,” the former CM added.

The former CM also added, “Kalita has been given the lollipop of appointment as the ‘Governor of Ladakh’ by the BJP party, which will be a great loss to him....in time..”

It is to be mentioned that the J&K Reorganisation Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha today with the support of 351 votes.

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