New Delhi
Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday made a landmark announcement in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament), that Article 370 of the Constitution - which gives special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir - will be revoked.
While Congress and some other parties opposed the move, others stood by the government and offered full support in revoking the controversial provision.
Here are some of the reactions from different political parties:
Home Minister Amit Shah: We should not waste a minute in revoking Article 370. Under the umbrella of Article 370 three families looted J&K for yrs. Leader of Opposition (GN Azad) said Article 370 connected J&K to India, it's not true. Maharaja Hari Singh signed J&K Instrument of Accession on 27 October 1947, Article 370 came in 1954.
Mehbooba Mufti, PDP (on Twitter): Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of Jammu and Kashmir leadership to reject two-nation theory in 1947 and align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of government of India to scrap Article 370 is illegal and unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir.
MDMK leader Vaiko: You have played with the sentiments of people of Kashmir. When additional army personnel were deployed there, I was worried. Kashmir should not become Kosovo, East Timor and South Sudan. I am opposing this Bill (Article 370). This is a day of shame, shame, shame...this is murder of democracy.
A Navaneethakrishnan, AIADMK: Amma is well known for upholding sovereignty and integrity. So AIADMK party supports the two resolutions, Reorganisation Bill & the Reservation Bill.
Prasanna Acharya, BJD: In real sense today, Jammu & Kashmir has become a part of India. My party supports this resolution. We are a regional party but for us nation is first.
KC Tyagi, JD(U): Our chief Nitish Kumar is carrying forward the tradition of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia & George Fernandes. So our party is not supporting the Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha today. We have different thinking. We want that Article 370 should not be revoked.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, BJP: I welcome the Bill on behalf of everyone in Ladakh. People there wanted the region to be a Union Territory. People in Ladakh wanted that the region be freed from the dominance & discrimination of Kashmir, that is happening today.
Satish Chandra Mishra, BSP: Our party gives complete support. We want that the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 Bill & the other Bill.
Sharad Pawar, NCP: I think Govt of India should have taken them (leaders of the valley) into confidence which unfortunately the govt didn't do. And then they should have taken the decision (to revoke 370).
Arvind Kejriwal, AAP: We support the government on its decisions on J&K. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state.