Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR Sept 11: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah today accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of double standards, criticizing the party for opposing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail to contest an election while welcoming Engineer Rashid’s release under similar circumstances, suggesting that “something is fishy”.
Omar made these remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of filing of nomination papers by the NC candidate for Kupwara, Nasir Aslam Wani. He said that when Arvind Kejriwal was granted permission to contest the election, the BJP opposed it nationwide, saying that “how can you release someone from jail to fight an election?” he asked. However, he added that when the Member of Parliament for Baramulla, Engineer Rashid was released solely for the election, the BJP welcomed it. “So, somewhere, there is something fishy,” he said.
Omar said that the people of Baramulla wasted their vote by choosing Engineer Rashid in the last elections, claiming he could neither perform his duties nor represent them in Parliament. “He cannot go to Parliament and speak for them. The people of Baramulla wasted their vote in the last election,” he said.
Regarding Rashid’s release, Omar expressed surprise at the BJP’s inconsistent stance. He noted that Rashid was released only for 20 days for the election and would have to return afterward. “He cannot work as an MP. People should decide for themselves. As I said yesterday, I am saddened that he has been released only for 20 days, solely for the election,” he said.
Omar said that Rashid’s imprisonment has affected the Parliament constituency of Baramulla, which includes Kupwara, Bandipora, and parts of Budgam. “During the election, voters were told to vote for Engineer Rashid, and he would be released. But he was not released,” he said.
When asked about the BJP’s claim that the next Chief Minister would be from Jammu, Omar responded that if the people of Kashmir made a mistake and their votes were scattered, it might benefit the BJP’s agenda. “For this, the people of Kashmir must use their judgment. They gave an emotional vote against me in the Parliament. This time, they should use their brains and make the right decision to counter the BJP,” he said.
He clarified that he has never denied his past association with the NDA and his work with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who spoke about humanity, democracy, and Kashmiriyat. “He stood by the border and did not push the BJP’s agenda. He said we can change our friends but not our neighbors. I worked with him,” he said.
Omar also mentioned that Vajpayee opened the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and gave a speech at Minar-e-Pakistan. “What is the objection to working with that person? These people do it secretly. I did it openly,” he said.
He urged those siding with the BJP to admit it openly. “Why don’t they come out openly? We know who they are,” he said. He questioned why Home Minister Amit Shah named only two parties with whom the BJP is not interested in forming Government, while remaining silent on PC, Engineer Rashid’s party, DPAP, independent candidates, and JEI candidates.
When asked whether it is decided that Jammu and Kashmir will have a National Conference Government this time, Omar replied, “No, it is not decided. Until the votes are counted, nothing is certain. We hope voters will use their votes wisely. We will know the outcome on October 8,” adding that despite efforts by various parties to defeat the National Conference, he hopes the votes will favor his party.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
