I congratulate everyone if statehood is restored , says BJP’s Ashok Koul 

I congratulate everyone if statehood is restored tomorrow, says BJP’s Ashok Koul

Arshad Farooq

Srinagar, Aug 04 (KINS): Amid growing speculation that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir may be restored on August 5, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ashok Koul on Monday said the party would congratulate everyone if the Union government grants back the status.

“If statehood is restored , we congratulate everyone,” Koul told news agency KINS.

He however said he has no information if the statehood would be restored. “PM and HM has already said that statehood would be restored but I don’t know when,” he said, responding to unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Centre might announce the restoration of statehood on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

He said that the revocation of Article 370 has fully integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India and led to the removal of “draconian laws” that had hampered development in the erstwhile state. “Article 370 has integrated J&K with India and removed draconian laws,” he said.

Commenting on Jammu and Kashmir leaders meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Koul said it was a positive step. “It is good they are meeting since he is everyone’s Home Minister,” he added. (KINS)