A column published after the Centre’s decision on Articles 370 and 35A argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pulled off a major political coup, and that broad public support for the move would give the BJP an advantage in upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana, Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh while dealing a serious blow to the Congress.

The column’s argument

The writer contended that winning public backing for contentious policies is a particular strength of Modi’s, and that the decision reflected a taste for big risks and bold choices. The column said the Congress looked isolated, with parties such as the AAP, TDP, BSP and YSR Congress backing the government and others choosing to walk out. It pointed to the resignation of Bhubaneshwar Kalita, the Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, as evidence of division within the party, and suggested the moment might open a way for the Gandhis to return to lead it.

According to the column, the timing suited the government: an opposition at its weakest, a Supreme Court not in an activist mood and a US inclined to stay out. It listed claimed benefits, such as restored property rights for Kashmiri women and expected investment, as well as risks including legal challenges, possible bloodshed and diplomatic fallout with China and Pakistan.

Legal questions and what lies ahead

The writer noted that the Supreme Court can review the legality of the move, and had ruled in April of 2018 that Article 370 had acquired “permanent” status, though the government declared it inoperative rather than removing it outright. The column described Triple Talaq and Jammu and Kashmir as boxes ticked in the BJP’s manifesto and suggested that the Ram Temple at Ayodhya would presumably come next. It also argued that the decision placed Home Minister Amit Shah at the centre of the stage and could make him a future contender.

What happened next

• In the 2019 Maharashtra election, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44 of 288; after the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance broke, Uddhav Thackeray became Chief Minister in November 2019 with NCP and Congress support.
• In Haryana in 2019, the BJP won 40 seats, Congress 31 and the Jannayak Janta Party 10; Manohar Lal Khattar was Chief Minister after the election.
• In Jharkhand in 2019, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP 25 and Congress 16; Hemant Soren became Chief Minister.
• In Delhi in 2020, the Aam Aadmi Party won 62 seats and the BJP 8.
• The Supreme Court delivered its Ayodhya judgment on 9 November 2019, and the Ram temple was consecrated on 22 January 2024.

Originally published on 7 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us