Jammu, Sept 23: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday accused India’s first Prime Minister, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Jammu & Kashmir’s first Chief Minister, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah of creating problems for Maharaja Hari Singh, the former ruler of the erstwhile state.
Addressing a public gathering on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, Chugh alleged that there was a deliberate conspiracy against the Maharaja, whose contributions in resisting Pakistani forces remain “outstanding”. “Maharaja Hari Singh was subjected to humiliation and insult by Pt Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah,” he said.
The BJP leader claimed that despite being a great patriot, Maharaja’s nationalist sentiments were suppressed by Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah. “Nehru conspired to favour Sheikh Abdullah, which led to the creation of two constitutions and two flags for Jammu & Kashmir. This hindered the region’s development compared to the rest of the country,” he said.
He added, “The Abdullah family and the Congress have historically joined hands to destabilise Jammu & Kashmir. Even today, Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah are echoing similar rhetoric to mislead the people, just as Pt Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah did in the past.”
Chugh also accused the two families of aligning with Pakistan’s agenda to destabilise India. “The Abdullahs and the Gandhis are trying to implement the nefarious designs of Pakistan to deceive the people of J&K for their political gains,” he said.
The BJP leader expressed confidence that the people of Jammu & Kashmir would reject the Abdullah family in the upcoming elections for their alleged anti-national actions. “If these families are on the same page with Pakistan, the people of J&K are on the same page with India,” he added.