The ‘agenda of alliance’ between the Bharatiya Janata Party, Peoples Democratic Party and Peoples Conference in 2015 gave “rebirth” to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and led to “destruction” of the state, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Monday.
Addressing an election rally here, Omar asked the threeparties about the achievements made by them under the ‘agenda of alliance’during their rule in the state.
“Except for destruction what did you achieve? You gaverebirth to the gun. The areas which were declared free of militancy during ourgovernment, you gave rebirth to militancy there,” Omar said.
The AoA was a governance document agreed upon by PDP and BJPin 2015 for governing the state. Sajad Lone, who is chairman of the PC, wasgiven a ministerial birth in the state government later under BJP quota. Omarsaid his government had started the process for removing 40 bunkers fromSrinagar following “improvement in the situation”.
“Under their government they built two-storey bunkers,blinded young boys and girls. Their four years of rule led to destruction ofthe state. People had forgotten crackdowns but your rule led to fear, panic andreturn of crackdowns,” said Omar.
“During these four years of destruction, particularly 2016,we never heard a word of sympathy from Prime Minister (NarendraModi), neitherdid he apologise once for the situation created during their rule,” Omar said.Hitting out at the three parties for “destroying” the state, Omar said ifJ&K’s special position was under attack today, the three parties were to beblamed. “See our condition today. BothArticle 370 and Article 35A are under attack today because of them,” hesaid.
Omar said during his election speeches, the Prime Ministerwas “issuing threats” against the state and “threatening” his party, NationalConference, saying “he won’t allow us to succeed”.
“Let you (the Prime Minister) be worried about your success on May 23 (counting day). Your position is so weak today that you had to bring together so many parties,” said Omar, adding the Prime Minister was talking about National Conference in every poll rally which “goes on to show that he has been shaken”.
He referred to his speech in Bandipora where he had promised that he will work for restoring positions of Prime Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat of the state, if voted to power. Modi has since hit out at National Conference over the issue saying he won’t allow anybody to “divide the country”. Omar said his promise was nothing new and it was in fact part of National Conference’s poll manifesto for earlier elections also.
He questioned the PM why didn’t he raise objections to hispromise for restoration of state’s autonomy earlier.
“The (union) ministers who are today writing against me, Ihave worked with them in (AtalBiharai) Vajpayee government when we passedautonomy resolution with two-thirds majority in the state assembly. That timethey had no objection,” said Omar.
Referring to Modi’s yesterday speech in Kathua, where heattacked Abdullahs and Muftis for “dynasty rule” in the state, Omar said thePrime Minister had made the same speech during 2014 elections.
“Then what did you do in January 2015. You embraced one of the two families (Muftis) and you didn’t wait for even two months. Then you made two chief ministers from the same family. Please stand by your words,” Omar said.
He also hit out at PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti for failing to deliver on the AoA. “Did relations between India and Pakistan improve during your tenure? Did Hurriyat talks happen? Did dialogue happen on Kashmir? Did they (PDP) get the power projects back? Had BJP not withdrawn support to her, she would have been sitting with them.
Those who didn’t achieve anything in five years, what shall we expect from them,” he said. “Except for betrayals they didn’t give anything to the state. Today Mehboobasahiba says she will raise her voice in Delhi for people. Mehboobaji why didn’t we hear your voice for four years? Why didn’t we hear your voice when GST was imposed in the state? Where were you when RSS took out rallies in Jammu, Kathua and Baderwah, brandishing weapons to frighten Muslims?” Omar asked. “Shall we forget 2016 when you didn’t allow Friday prayers in Jamia mosque and locked it?”