Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of the National Conference (NC), has launched a fierce critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of voter intimidation and spreading falsehoods about terrorism in the region. Speaking at the Naseem Bagh mausoleum on the 42nd death anniversary of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, he addressed pressing concerns about the political climate in Jammu and Kashmir.
Challenging BJP’s Terrorism Narrative
Abdullah took aim at the BJP’s claims that the abrogation of Article 370 would curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. “They repealed Article 370, but did terrorism end? Terrorism is rising again, and it’s all BJP’s responsibility,” he asserted. The NC leader criticised the government’s actions since 2019, arguing that the security situation has not improved as promised.
He further challenged the BJP’s narrative that terrorism would surge if the NC-Congress alliance came to power, pointing out that terrorism has, in fact, reignited since the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah held the BJP accountable for this resurgence, questioning the effectiveness of their policies.
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Accusations of Intimidating Voters
Abdullah accused the BJP of trying to instil fear among Hindu voters in Jammu. “They want to threaten a particular community. They think that community will vote for them, but today that community has changed,” he remarked. He criticised the BJP’s campaign strategy, which he believes is rooted in intimidation rather than addressing substantive issues.
He also observed that the BJP’s leadership was focusing its election efforts in Jammu, interpreting this as an attempt to intimidate voters across both Jammu and Kashmir regions.
Commitment to Statehood and an Inclusive Vision
In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s criticism of the NC-Congress coalition’s promise to restore statehood, Abdullah remained resolute. “We are committed to ensure restoration of full statehood to J&K one day,” he affirmed. The NC president expressed confidence in their alliance’s ability to bring back statehood to the region.
Abdullah also criticised the BJP’s broader vision for India. “We are against that Bharat that they want to create. Bharat belongs to all — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists,” he declared. He emphasised that Muslims have made equal sacrifices for India’s freedom and rejected the notion of being labelled as intruders.
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As political tensions escalate in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah’s statements underscore the ongoing conflict between regional parties and the central government. Both sides present differing narratives about the region’s past, present, and future.
The NC-Congress alliance remains steadfast in its commitment to restoring full statehood, while the BJP continues to defend its actions and policies in the region. As the situation unfolds, the people of Jammu and Kashmir find themselves at the heart of a critical debate about their homeland’s future, with both alliances seeking their support in the upcoming elections.
