Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supported the move by the Modi government to scrap the Article 370 of the Constitution making Kashmir an integral part of India.
BJD’s seven members voted in favour of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Welcoming the Bill, BJD senior member in Rajya Sabha Prasanna Acharya said the BJD president Naveen Patnaik and the party is supporting this move by the Centre.
“Jammu & Kashmir in real sense now become an integral part of India”, he said and added, ” All of us wait to see when PoK will become a part of India. For us, the nation comes first. Acharya said, the freedom, integrity and sovereignty of Bharat Mata are paramount for BJD.
BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra, in a video message said, “I am confident that the J&K Reservation Bill and the resolution of Article 370 will be passed in Parliament. Kashmir is an emotional issue for all of us.” He has suggested that all the Kashmiri Pandits be brought back to Kashmir.
Union minister and BJP MP from Balasore Pratap Sarangi has twitted, “This decision is a tribute to all soldiers who were martyred while guarding the State.
Congress in Odisha has opposed the move. Party’s senior leader and MLA Suresh Routray said, “ We oppose the move.” “There was no such requirement to create instability in peaceful Jammu and Kashmir”, he added.
Odisha Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Pradipta Kumar Naik said, “The decision of Union government meant for the betterment and welfare of all Indians including the people of Kashmir.”
