Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning its opposition to the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Addressing the National Conference’s ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally in Jammu, Omar renewed his party’s demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He questioned where his party should raise the issue if even a peaceful protest in the national capital was being opposed.
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“Should we go to President Donald Trump’s White House to seek our statehood? If we cannot get justice in our own country’s capital, then tell us where we should go,” he said, adding that the BJP should specify where the demand for statehood ought to be raised.
The Chief Minister also defended the party’s decision to invite Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to the proposed protest, rejecting BJP criticism. He argued that the BJP’s claims of ending separatism in Jammu and Kashmir were inconsistent with its continued portrayal of Mirwaiz as a separatist.
“Both cannot be true at the same time. Either separatism has ended, or your claims are wrong,” Omar said.
The National Conference leader further accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through “Operation Lotus”. His remarks came a day after BJP leaders dismissed allegations that the party had offered Rs 20-30 crore to NC MLAs to switch sides.
Citing political developments in states such as Maharashtra, West Bengal and Punjab, Omar alleged that the BJP frequently sought to split opposition parties after elections when it failed to secure power through democratic means.
He asserted that the National Conference would continue its democratic movement for the restoration of statehood and urged the Centre to honour its commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
