BJP wants to silence NC by backing Independents
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 26: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said today that the low voter turnout in Srinagar was a result of the Central Government’s propaganda and its misleading claims that everything is normal in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5.
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Omar expressed surprise during an election rally in the border town of Uri, Baramulla at the significantly lower voter turnout in Srinagar and surrounding areas compared to the 2014 Assembly elections, holding the Central Government responsible for the decline.
“The low turnout was because of the propaganda of the Government of India. Unfortunately, they have used voter turnout to falsely claim that people are happy, satisfied, and participating in large numbers after August 5. The Central Government must answer for the low turnout in Srinagar and nearby areas, where participation has dropped since 2014,” he said.
Omar added that he expected higher turnout, especially given the absence of boycott calls, attacks, or voter intimidation. “The Centre is responsible for presenting high voter turnout as a sign of normalcy and acceptance of the revocation of Article 370. Perhaps the low turnout in Srinagar is a reaction because the people do not want to send the wrong signals,” he said.
Omar also criticized the decision to invite foreign diplomats to observe the polls. “The Centre made another mistake by inviting diplomats, possibly to showcase a higher voter turnout as evidence of major change. But the people of Srinagar did not want to be used in this manner, and that may explain the lower numbers. I am, however, thankful to those who did come out to vote, regardless of whom they voted for,” he said.
A delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway and Singapore, observed the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir during the phase-2 of Assembly elections in Kashmir on 25th September.
Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s accusation that the National Conference was working in favour of Pakistan’s agenda, Omar said: “The National Conference has made thousands of sacrifices over the last 30 years. If we had been working for Pakistan, we would have done so decades ago, and over 4,500 of my companions would not have been martyred. If Amit Shah overlooks these sacrifices, there’s nothing I can do.”
Omar said that Pahari and Gujjar communities got maximum facilities during our Government.
“”Former Minister Mohammad Shafi Uri was the main pillar of the education sector. As an Education Minister, he recommended Pahari, Gujjar reservation and other things for these communities,” he said.
“No one can seize Pahari reservation. In fact, the NC first recommended Pahari ST reservation in the 1980s. BJP backed people will only spread propaganda just to divide people on Pahari, Gujjar, Kashmiri, Shia, Suni castes,” he said.
He lambasted BJP for trying to divide communities. “That is why BJP is not contesting on some seats and supporting the Independent candidates,” he added.
Talking about the insecurity of Muslims in India, Omar said in the present scenario, Muslims of the country feel fear and harassment. “They are not feeling safe so let Kashmiris give a clear message this time to the PM,” he emphasised.
He said that Delhi wants to silence NC by backing Independent candidates. “That is why these all A, B, C teams speak only against NC. No one among these Independent candidates spoke against BJP. You can imagine the agenda of these Independent candidates,” he said.
Omar added that those who had a deal with the BJP will not fulfil the people’s demands. “If you need evidence, look at their statements as they speak only against NC. That is why the BJP and Apni Party support Taj Mohiuddin in Uri. Former minister Chaudhary Taj Mohiuddin is a proxy of BJP,” he added.
NC Member of Parliament Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi while speaking on the occasion said that people have to give a reply to PM Modi by casting their vote this time. “We have to tell them what you are doing with Kashmiris is not acceptable to us. Resolve the Kashmir issue and give all our rights back to us otherwise the situation of J&K will not improve. Don’t take the silence of Kashmiris easily and sometimes silence also expresses anger. India is a secular country and PM Modi should understand the sentiments and emotions of Indian Muslims,” he said.
Former Minister Mohammad Shafi Uri said that BJP has a deal with some regional parties and Independent candidates in Uri. “All BJP alliance parties and like-minded-people are hand in glove with Independent candidates.”
Uri also described a climate of disempowerment, economic distress and alienation among Kashmiris. “The removal of J&K special status was unconstitutional and eroded the region’s relationship with India while failing to address security concerns,” he said.
He also raised concern about the troubling picture of demographic changes and loss of local economic opportunities.
Omar also announced that the National Conference will form the new Government in J&K on October 8. “Sajad Shafi Uri will be part of the Ministry,” he added.
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