Mir Farhat
BEERWAH, Nov 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to come clear on the abrogation of Article 370 and said that his party won’t shake hands with the saffron party that wants to snatch State’s identify.
Omar while addressing thousands of supporters at Beerwah after filing his nomination papers today said that people in the State sacrificed their lives for Article 370 and its flag. “We cannot work with those people or shake hands with them who want to snatch our flag and abrogate Article 370. We have sacrificed our lives to keep the flag strong and waving,” he said.
He said the flag and Article 370 is the identity of the Jammu and Kashmir State. He said that the BJP’s stand on the abrogation of Article 370 is shaky. He asked the saffron party to clear the confusion over the abrogation of the Article 370.
“BJP speaks in different tones on abrogation of Article 370. In Jammu they say they will abrogate it, and in Valley they say they will pick gun if it is removed”, the Chief Minister said.
“Home Minister Rajnath Singh says ‘removing Article 370 is our national issue and some vice president here says ‘we will go by the wishes of the people’. For God’s sake talk in unison over it,” Omar said.
He hoped that whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes to Kashmir, “he will be clear on the abrogation of Article 370”.
Omar asked how the people of the State will support BJP when they don’t respect their sentiments.
“How will people accept the BJP in the State when they don’t accept our flag, our identity, and our article 370? Flood relief and money will keep coming from the Central Government but you have to respect the sentiments of the people here,” the Chief Minister said adding that BJP does not respect the sentiments of the people of the State.
Omar said that the NC was the only party that has always respected the sentiments of the people.
The Chief Minister also lashed out at his opposition People’s Democratic Party, and his coalition partner, Congress. “Today, parties are scathingly launching propaganda against us that my Government has not done anything for the State. They don’t know my Government has created hundreds of administrative units in the State. In Beerwah, I have created sub division, and three CD blocks,” he said.
Omar said that it was only his Government which succeeded in relocating army Tosamaidan shelling ground. “Now, you won’t hear the thuds of shells and bullets. You will hear sounds of horses’ hooves carrying tourists to the spot. Youth can open hotels and restaurants there,” he said, amid applause from the supporters.
He also attacked the Congress saying why they are now shouting against NC even though they were in Government for the last over five years. “Why are they (Congress leaders) shouting against me and pointing loopholes in my work. They could not see it in the last over five years while sharing Government with me,” he said.
Omar said that he is missing his father, Dr Farooq Abdullah, while campaigning. “I am missing my father very much. I tried to call him so that he can address the people on phone. But since his dialysis session was going on so he could not address the people,” Omar said when asked if he misses his father in campaigning.
“If Farooq Sahab addressed these people it could have been a great feeling for me and all the party colleagues who have come here,” Omar said. Abdullah is currently in London undergoing treatment after his kidney transplant.
Follow our WhatsApp channel