After Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a stunning U-turn announced that the three farm laws would be repealed, politicians from Jammu & Kashmir demanded the restoration of Article 370 and 35A.

The decision to repeal farm laws and an apology is a welcome step, said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and said it “stemmed from electoral compulsions and fear of drubbing in elections”.

Ironical that while BJP needs to please people in the rest of India for votes, punishing and humiliating Kashmiris satisfies their major vote bank, she added.

Article 370 abrogated to please BJP voters: Mufti 

In a tweet, the former J&K chief minister said that desecrating the Indian constitution to dismember and disempower J&K was done only to please BJP voters.

I hope they course correct here too and reverse the illegal changes made in J&K since August 2019, she said.

National Conference (JKNC) chairperson Farooq Abdullah said that the Union government must restore Article 370, 35A and the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

He further said that farmers should continue their protest till the time the three contentious laws are repealed in Parliament.

Let’s start afresh: PM Modi to farmers

After the announcement of repealing of the three Central farm laws, the Prime Minister said the constitutional measures to repeal the laws will begin in the Winter session of Parliament which is likely to commence from November 29.

In an address to the nation, PM Modi also urged farmers to return to their homes and “let’s start afresh.”

PM Modi argued that three farm laws were brought to empower and strengthen small farmers, on the demand made by farmers, economists and agricultural experts.

He further said that it was unfortunate that despite the government’s intentions to strengthen and empower farmers we could not convince a section of farmers despite best efforts.

The Prime Minister said that the government will constitute a committee to work on a new framework for Minimum Support Price (MSP).