Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir Thursday kept up his attack on former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti over their statements in defence of Article 370, saying “this type of politics will no longer be entertained in the country”.
Gambhir, who recently joined the BJP, addressed electionrallies in support of Union minister Jitendra Singh at Ram Nagar in Udhampurdistrict and Nagri in Kathua district.
“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one and thedream of having separate prime minister (for Jammu and Kashmir) will never befulfilled. We will not allow it to happen,” Gambhir told reporters inKathua district.
Singh is seeking re-election from the Udhampur Lok Sabhaseat, spread over six districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwarand Doda districts.
Gambhir and Abdullah had exchanged sharp words after theNational Conference leader stated that his party would strive to restore Jammuand Kashmir’s autonomy that could include having a ‘Wazir-e-Azam’ (primeminister).
The BJP in its manifesto has reiterated its commitment torepealing Article 370, which grants the state special powers.
The PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti Mufti had claimed thatscrapping Article 370 would mean India’s Constitution will no longer beapplicable in the state and that if Indians do not understand it, they will”disappear” and their “story will be over”.
Terming the statements of the former chief ministers as”unfortunate”, the former cricketer alleged that they have donenothing for the state despite being in power for the last over 30 years.
“They do not think beyond their own welfare. They willachieve nothing from this type of politics and are making such statements aftergetting exposed and finding themselves irrelevant,” he said.
He said their children are studying outside the state, havebought properties outside the state. “But, this type of politics will notbe entertained anymore,” Gambhir said.
Addressing the rallies, Gambhir said he was inspired byPrime Minister Narendra Modi to join the world’s largest political party.
He said Modi had ensured large-scale development and wasmaking continuous efforts to turn the country into a global superpower.
“Modi is the only prime minister who visited the stateeight to 10 times over the past five years. No other prime minister had visitedthe state so many times in his tenure,” he said.
This shows Modi’s “dedication and his resolve to pullout the state from crisis”, he added.
Gambhir appealed to the people of Udhampur constituency tovote for Union minister Singh, saying he is “most hardworking, dedicatedand sincere and had ensured development of his constituency”.
The former opening batsman recently exchanged sharp barbswith both Abdullah and Mufti.
In a Twitter face-off with Mufti over Article 370, Gambhir had said, “This is India not a blot like you that it will disappear,” drawing a sharp response from her who later blocked him.