National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah Thursday said the emergence of new political parties in Kashmir only was dividing Kashmiri voters.
Addressing an election rally in Lolab, Omar said six newpolitical parties came up in the past 15 days in Kashmir but none in Jammu orLadakh.
“I am no one to stop their entry into politics but why onlyin Kashmir, why not in Jammu and Ladakh?” he said.
“They are only dividing the votes of Kashmiris,” he said andchallenged the new parties to contest elections in the other two divisions ofthe state also.
“I don’t say NC only has right to power. But if they reallywant to save Kashmir they should contest elections in other divisions as well,”Omar said.
He said that the upcoming election is significant as it willdecide the future course of action on Articles 370 and 35A, asserting his partywould ensure the protection of the two legislations “within and outside thecourts”.
“The very special character of our state is facing overt aswell as covert threats. These elections provide us with a good opportunity tosend resourceful and capable people to the country’s highest house who can workfor preserving state’s special status,” Omar said.
Omar targeted PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for bringing theNational Investigation Agency to J&K.
He said during his stint as the CM, the NIA was used onlyonce to secure the release of Liyaqat, a Kupwara resident and former militantwho had been arrested while returning to Kashmir from Pakistan under arehabilitation policy for militants.
Omar said he discussed Liyaqat’s case with the then Homeminister and requested him to employ an organisation that would not be used forpolitical ends against the people.
“Within two months Liyaqat was released and reunited withhis family,” he added.
Omar said that if NC comes to power, cases against youthswould be reviewed.
“We will ensure that our youth are not unnecessarilyintimidated by the NIA. We will also putan end to the PSA,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event,Omar said that BJP leaders talk one thing in Delhi and another in Kashmir.
“In Delhi, they halt elections for state Assembly but inSrinagar Ram Madhav pitches for elections. If they aren’t able to conductAssembly elections then they should publicly admit that they have made thesituation so bad that elections couldn’t be conducted,” he said.
NC candidate for Baramulla seat Muhammad Akbar Lone,provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leaders Sharief-ud-Din Shariq,Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone and Salam-ud-Din Bajad alsoaddressed the gathering.