Ramban: Former Chief Minister and the National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday accused the BJP-led central government of creating a false narrative of “all is well” in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 and disintegration of erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
He also questioned different laws for J&K and Ladakh asking if there were “two separate constitutions” for the two Union Territories. Omar was addressing a public rally at Dak Bungalow in Ramban on the last day of his seven-day tour to Chenab valley.
Omar said, “Post-August 5, 2019, the BJP led central government had claimed to have ”one nation one law.” Article 370 was nullified and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories (UTs) i.e., Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. But now why are there two separate constitutions for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.”
“What narrative you are trying to create here in Jammu and Kashmir. Our fight is now for the identity and land of Jammu and Kashmir. Our second part i.e., Ladakh region has been provided with the protection of land and jobs while it has been scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir. Here, everyone from the outside is allowed to acquire land and jobs. Why is this double-speak,” he questioned.
Omar said, “The central government was raising non-serious issues at the time when Kashmir was hit hard by a plethora of problems after August 5, 2019.”
He alleged that the Centre had weakened the voice of the National Conference. “But now all the mainstream parties have joined hands on the collective issues being faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Centre forced us to get together and fight for our rights. Neither we are counting seats any more nor is this the fight for power or the post of Chief Minister,” he struck a cohesive note.
Omar said, “People will never forgive us if we do something like that. Had this development taken place earlier, no one could have played with the sentiments of people of Jammu and Kashmir.” Former Chief Minister rejected “new land laws” and reiterated NC’s stand to “fight out all such illegal moves.” He warned the people saying, “This is not a fight for a day, a week or a month. We have to do continuous struggle for the purpose.”
“BJP-led government at the Centre had claimed that after abrogation of Article 370, a new era of development would start in Jammu and Kashmir. During my visit to the Chenab valley, I tried to see the achievements of the central government on the ground. But I found nothing new except those projects which were initiated by the previous governments,” he took a dig at the Centre and UT governments vis-a-vis their claims on development.