Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir today condemned BJP leader L K Advani's statement on abrogating Article 370 from the Constitution saying, no one will be allowed to change, alter or weaken the state's special status.
"Advani is parroting this slogan because elections are approaching. If he believed in what he is saying, he should have pursued it when he was the deputy Prime Minister," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's political secretary Tanvir Sadiq said in a statement here.
Accusing BJP of playing petty politics, Tanvir said the Chief Minister has categorically said his party would not let anyone change, alter or weaken that special status.
"I am surprised that leaders of a party which was once headed by a person of A B Vajpayee's stature would talk so lame," Tanvir said, adding this shows the "double standard" of BJP leadership and how they want to "hoodwink" people with their "petty politics".
BJP always had an agenda to divide people on the lines of region and religion, he said.
"They feel that raking such issues might fetch them some votes and improve their credibility in the country. A party which does not respect the stand of the Parliament about Article 370 of which Advani is also a member, what do you expect from them other then unconstitutional and divisive politics," he wondered.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz also condemned Advani's statement.
"I strongly condemn Advani's statement on removal of Article 370 from the Constitution. Advani is absolutely wrong," Soz said in a statement.
