Article 370: Bill Tabled in RS Based on Venkaiah Naidu’s Strategy

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naiduon Sunday said that abrogation of Article 370 is in the interest of the nationfor its future, for security and safety. He said that it's the need of the hourand that it is a good thing.

While talking on the issue at abook launch programme in Chennai, Naidu said that now that the bill has beenpassed he is free to talk on the issue. Naidu said, "We should all think interms of national interest rather than the party interest. Article 370 shouldnot be treated as a national interest that Kashmir is an integral part of Indiaand whatever problems are there, we should all stand by the future of Kashmirand assure their feelings and see to it that steps are taken care of restoringnormalcy and implementing welfare agenda at the earliest.

Union Home Minister Amit Shahsaid that removal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 ofthe Constitution will end terrorism in the valley and help in the progress ofthe region. Naidu said that it was consulted with him after which the decisionwas taken as he firmly believed that Article 370 was not beneficial to thecountry and should be removed.

Naidu was quiet aware that thecentral government would be supported by Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Biju JanataDal, Telugu Desam Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Aam Aadmi Party on thescrapping of Article 370.

Amit Shah while releasing thebook of Naidu "Listening, Learning & Leading" based on his two-year term inoffice said that Article 370 did not help India and Kashmir. Shah said, "It wasto have been scrapped long back. With the scrapping of Article 370, terrorism willend in Kashmir and bring prosperity to the valley."