BJP vows to revoke Article 35A, Kashmir leaders warn of 'unimaginable repercussions' if special rights are withdrawn

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)is widely expected to retain power after the Lok Sabha election that starts on Thursday, though with a much smaller mandate, hit by concerns over a shortage of jobs and weak farm prices. It pledged to spend Rs 100 trillion rupees on infrastructure in the next five years to help create jobs for the millions entering the workforce each year. Pollsters say BJP’s re-election bid got a boost from recent hostilities with arch-rival Pakistan, after the Jaish-e-Mohammed based in the country claimed a February suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian security forces in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. “Nationalism is our inspiration, economic development of the poor and backward sections our philosophy, and good governance our mantra,” Modi said after releasing the election manifesto at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, as supporters chanted “Modi, Modi”. [caption id=“attachment_5086631” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Kashmiri traders protesting against the petitions in the Supreme court challenging the validity of Article 35 A. PTI[/caption] The BJP has consistently advocated an end to Kashmir’s special constitutional status, which prevents outsiders from buying property there, arguing that such laws have hindered its integration with the rest of India. “In the last five years, we have made all necessary efforts to ensure peace in Jammu and Kashmir through decisive actions and a firm policy,” it said in the manifesto. “We are committed to overcome all obstacles in the way of development and provide adequate financial resources to all the regions of the state.” The party also reiterated its long-held desire to abolish Kashmir’s autonomous status. BJP supporters have sought the removal, expressing anger at many Kashmiris’ resistance to rule by India, which, for three decades, has battled an armed insurgency in the region also claimed by Pakistan. “The BJP’s campaign is largely around nationalism, national security, and this is what is getting echoed in their manifesto,” said Sanjay Kumar, director of think tank the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. Repeal would bring widespread unrest, Kashmiri political leaders warned. “Let them do it and it will pave the way for our azadi,” Farooq Abdullah, president of Kashmir’s National Conference party, told an election rally, referring to freedom for the region. “They are wrong. We will fight against it.” Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the leader of a Left party in Kashmir, warned of “disastrous and unimaginable repercussions”. Voting in the general election begins on Thursday, but with about 900 million eligible voters, it will be spread across several weeks, with ballots counted on 23 May. Tax reform In its manifesto last week, the main Opposition Congress party pledged to create more jobs, hand money to India’s poorest and change a law on special powers for troops in Kashmir. It dismissed the BJP manifesto as anti-farmer, despite its pledge of a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers who make up more than 80 percent of India’s estimated 263 million farmers, with landholdings smaller than 2 hectares (5 acres). “Remember the good old days before 2014 when Indians had jobs and a prime minister that didn’t lie to them,” Congress said on Twitter, with a hashtag calling the BJP manifesto a gimmick. The BJP pledged to simplify the Goods and Services Tax, which disrupted businesses and hurt growth when Modi introduced it in 2017. It will also work to cut tax and boost credit to small businesses to Rs 1 trillion by 2024.