UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Backs Congress Leader Salman Khurshid's Support For Article 370 Abrogation

Lucknow: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and several BJP leaders on Sunday expressed support for senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s recent comments defending the abrogation of Article 370, with some even suggesting that the Congress should take cues from Khurshid's version of patriotism, now surprisingly compatible with BJP’s core stand.

Maurya said Khurshid had shown “more maturity than the Congress high command” and urged Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to “prioritize the nation over party lines.” Minister Ashish Patel cited Khurshid’s words as a rare instance of honesty from the Congress ranks, adding that such views aligned well with the military gains achieved under the current leadership. Sanjay Nishad, too, praised the remarks, labelling them “true nationalism,” adding that unity must come before caste, religion, or party.

Khurshid had stated that “patriotism shouldn’t be hard,” while reflecting on the 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. His remarks, though not an official party line, were swiftly amplified by BJP figures keen to portray ideological convergence. Congress leadership has not issued a clarification, possibly letting silence stand in place of contradiction, a political tactic Khurshid himself is not unfamiliar with.