Bihar chief minister warns centre over Article 370

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Friday warned the Narendra Modi-led central government against repealing Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party government should not touch Article 370 as it will create more trouble," Manjhi told reporters in Gaya district during an official visit.

He said special status was given to Jammu and Kashmir under special circumstances and no attempt should be made to revoke as it would be a "dangerous step".

Manjhi also backed his Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah's stand on the issue, saying Abdullah has "rightly stated that Article 370 is must for his state".

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh stirred up a controversy Tuesday by declaring the central government has started the process for repealing Article 370. He later said he was misquoted by media.

Besides, Manjhi said sensing the BJP's hidden agenda, including Article 370, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar last year ended the Janata Dal-United's alliance with the BJP.- IANS