Supreme Court will take decision on Article 35 (A): Nirmal Singh

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 12 (ANI): Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Nirmal Singh on Saturday said that Article 35(A) is a constitutional matter and that the Supreme court will take any decision related to it. While speaking about Article 35(A) he said, "It is a constitutional matter. Let the Supreme Court take cognizance of this." He also backed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's stand on Article 35 (A) and supported the ruling the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state. Earlier on Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the position of political parties in the Valley on the legal challenge to Article 35A that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents. After the meeting, Ms. Mufti claimed Mr. Modi had assured that any discussion on the special provisions for the State would be on the basis of the Agenda of Alliance (AoA) between the PDP and the BJP. Speaking on the same, Singh said, "The coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir takes the agenda of the alliance and takes decisions. We stand by the words of CM Mehbooba Mufti." In July, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister warned that any change in Article 35 (A) of the Constitution, would not be in favour of the people living in the Valley and would invite repercussions. (ANI)