Srinagar, Sep 28: The former chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) is yet to provide a clear explanation on decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood.
Omar, while speaking to the reporters in Lolab, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reiterated his party’s stance, demanding clarity from the BJP on why the region was downgraded to a Union Territory and what benefits, if any, were gained from the decision
“No one from the BJP has given a clear answer as to why Statehood was taken from us. What was achieved by downgrading us?” Abdullah asked, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for elections to reclaim their Statehood.
He expressed hope that elections would lead to the restoration of the status, but warned, “If, God forbid, it gets delayed, we will not hesitate to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court.”
Omar also highlighted Congress’ commitment to hold protests nationwide if the issue remains unresolved.
Omar, while expressing confidence in the judiciary, said that just as the elections were held based on the Supreme Court’s decision, he’s certain that the restoration of Statehood will follow, if the Modi government continues to delay it.
Responding to a question, Omar reaffirmed the National Conference’s allegiance to the Indian Constitution. “How many times do we have to repeat that we are not against the Constitution of India? How many times do National Conference leaders have to prove to the Prime Minister that we have upheld the Constitution, even at the cost of great sacrifices?” Abdullah asked.
Referring to the Vajpayee era, he recalled his tenure as Foreign Minister, stating, “If we were against the Constitution, why was our support sought during Vajpayee’s tenure? Why didn’t they say anything then? If I was made Foreign Minister, does that mean Vajpayee betrayed India?”
On Sajad Lone’s controversial “Bada Bhai” remark in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah clarified that he accepted Modi as India’s Prime Minister but never viewed him as an elder brother. “It was Sajad Lone who made those ‘Chota Bhai, Bada Bhai’ statements to stay in power for five years.”
He criticized Sajad, accusing him of shifting his stance due to political pressure from Engineer Rashid, adding, “Sajad Lone is now changing his narrative, saying ‘Modi Ka Jo Yaar Hai Gaddar Hai.’ Was he not betraying people for the past decade?”
