August 17, 2026 04:25 am (IST)
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Article 370 national issue, needs extensive debate: Rajnath Singh
Leh, Nov 20 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Article 370 is a national issue and called for an extensive debate over it.
"Article 370 is a national issue for us and there should be an extensive debate over its utility," Singh said at election meeting at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also said that many developmental works could not proceed owing to the Article.
"There are many schemes and projects which could be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir but Article 370 works as an obstacle," said Singh.
The Union Minister said Ladakh is "an important and integral part of our country."
"It has a unique historical, cultural, spiritual and strategic significance for us," said he.
"Ladakh could emerge as an attractive ‘Global Tourist Destination’ if the area is developed keeping this vision in mind," the Union Minister added.
Singh said the BJP has emerged as the frontrunner in the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Slamming the National Conference (NC) led state government, Singh said : "The state government did not implement the 73rd Constitutional Amendment despite being in power for six years."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who was confident of accomplishing its +44 Mission in the state, said, "We in the BJP consider Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as extremely close to our hearts."
"On the other hand parties like the Congress believed that Ladakh was nothing more than a ‘cold desert’," said he.
Singh said India lost precious territory to China and Pakistan "due to wrong policies of the Congress."
Slamming Congress further, Singh said: "Congress lost Tibet to China which acted as the ‘Buffer State’ between both the countries & Pakistan handed over Aksai Chin area to China."
However, the minister said India wants to maintain good relations with its neighbours but the gesture should be reciprocated by its neighbours.
"China has illegally occupied Aksai Chin & incursions by Chinese troops do not augur well in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbour," said he.
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