Anantnag/Kulgam, Sept 14: Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president, Omar Abdullah on Saturday criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it is the same party that couldn’t find a single capable Muslim from the 1.4 billion population to appoint as a minister at the Centre.
“With what face does the BJP come to Jammu & Kashmir asking for votes? This is the first time in India’s history that a government at the Centre is without any Muslim representation,” he said while responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement about restoring statehood to Jammu & Kashmir and his appeal to the people to “not fall for the false promises” of certain parties.
Omar said, “Yes, it’s true—BJP’s promises of strengthening brotherhood, peace and other issues are fake. This is the same BJP that couldn’t find a single capable Muslim from the 1.4 billion population to appoint as a minister. What expectations can we have from a party that fails to represent us? For the first time since independence, there is a government in Delhi with no Muslim representation.”
The NC leader was addressing reporters after speaking at gatherings in D K Marg, Kulgam and Anantnag Pahalgam as part of the election campaign for the party’s candidates, who are contesting as alliance candidates.
Abdullah said the BJP are here to give “fake promises” and “false assurances”. Hopefully, after the elections, the BJP will fail and leave Jammu & Kashmir, he said.
Omar also criticised PM Modi’s recent statements, saying, “It is not appropriate for the Prime Minister to make such statements today, especially when, in Kishtwar, an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) and a soldier were killed by militants (sic), and an encounter was ongoing in north Kashmir. Hardly, Jammu has such an area, where we don’t see the effect of militancy (sic). Be it Chenab Valley, Pir Panchal, Udhampur, Reasi, Samba, Jammu or Kathua wherever we see, we see the effect of militancy (pic). Prime Minister can say anything, but he can’t say that his party, in Jammu & Kashmir, has achieved a great success in fighting against militancy (sic).”
Responding to the PM’s criticism of regional dynastic parties, the former CM said, “The Prime Minister has nothing new to say. In Jammu & Kashmir, no new projects have been initiated under this government; the projects underway were initiated by previous administrations. We haven’t received anything new from this government in the past five years. That’s why the Prime Minister is focusing on ‘three families.’ Ultimately, the people will decide how satisfied they are with the Prime Minister’s words.”
