Dr Farooq dismisses BJP campaign, says don’t need to answer them
Rules out split in NC-Congress alliance
Distances himself from Sidhra demolition drive
Abid Bashir
Srinagar, May 22: A fresh political controversy has erupted after the BJP Friday circulated “Omar Abdullah Missing” posters on social media, mocking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over reports of his absence from the Union Territory during a personal visit outside the J&K.
The posters, shared online by the BJP, sought “information” about the chief minister and claimed that he had been “missing for the last ten days,” sparking sharp reactions from the ruling National Conference (NC).
Reacting strongly to the development, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah dismissed the BJP’s campaign and accused the party of indulging in unnecessary politics.
“They have their own campaigns, they know what they are doing. We don’t have to answer them,” Dr Farooq told reporters after offering congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.
Amid speculation regarding the National Conference’s alliance with Congress, the senior NC leader also rejected rumours of any political split.
“I think it is our enemies who are saying all this. The alliance is there, nothing will happen,” he said.
Commenting on concerns linked to the ongoing fuel supply situation, Dr Farooq expressed hope for peace in West Asia and said he wished the tensions involving Iran and the United States would end soon.
“I hope the war between Iran and the US will stop, and God willing, we will get out of these difficulties,” he remarked.
Addressing the controversy over the demolition of houses belonging to Gujjar and Bakarwal families in Jammu’s Sidhra area, Abdullah distanced the J&K government and National Conference from the action.
“We are not involved in that. They (the Lieutenant Governor administration) have done it, and an investigation is going on,” he said.
The NC chief also criticised the PDP over its allegations against the NC government, accusing the party of being responsible for developments surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. “They are responsible for the destruction of our state. Now they are raising a hue and cry,” he said. The political exchange has intensified the ongoing war of words between the BJP and opposition parties in J&K ahead of the Eid-ul Adha.