Union minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday ridiculed the Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls due in April/May, alleging it was "dangerous and un-implementable, and an agenda for balkanisation of India". The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's assertion was in reference to the Congress' promise, made in its manifesto, to review laws like the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) that's in place in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the northeast
"In this manifesto, there are such agendas that do the work of breaking up the nation. Being involved in terror will no longer be a crime. The party which says this does not deserve a single vote," Jaitley said, at a press briefing.
The Congress' promises will protect Maoists and jihadists, and allow terrorists and friends to prosecute the forces, he added.
The Congress has, in its manifesto, promised that nothing would be done or allowed to change the constitutional position on Kashmir and that enforcement of the APSPA in Jammu and Kashmir would be reviewed.
In the 55-page document, titled 'Hum Nibhayenge' [We will deliver], released earlier in the day, the Congress party dedicated separate sections to Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states.
The Congress said it had stood witness to the developments in the state since the instrument of accession was signed on October 26, 1947.
"Nothing will be done or allowed to change the constitutional position," the party said.
Abrogating Article 370 has long been one of the core promises of the BJP. It grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state.
The Congress said it had long held the view that dialogue was the only way to understand the aspirations of the people of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir and find an honourable solution to their issues.
SIGNIFICANT PROPOSALS
The Congress promised to review the deployment of armed forces, move more troops to the border to stop infiltration completely, reduce the presence of the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the Kashmir Valley, and entrust more responsibility to the J&K police for maintaining law and order.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in J&K would be reviewed, the party said, adding that suitable changes would be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights.
The Congress also promised a solution through patient dialogue with all stakeholders in the state.
"We will appoint three interlocutors drawn from civil society to facilitate such talks," it said.
The party also promised free and fair elections to the state legislative assembly to be held immediately.
The party expressed deep concern about the cases of discrimination and harassment of students, traders and others belonging to Jammu and Kashmir in the rest of India and promised their safety and their right to study or do business.
The party also made a slew of promises for the Northeastern states with the most significant among them being restoring the special category status to them.
The Congress also promised immediate withdrawal of the "widely resented" Citizenship Amendment Bill introduced by the BJP government "against the wishes" of the people of the Northeast, according to the manifesto.
The Congress said it would strengthen the security of the borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, resolve any border issues through dialogue.
The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 11 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.
