Sajad Lone contesting elections at behest of BJP: Omar

Srinagar, May 06: National Conference (NC) Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday accused the People’s Conference (PC) President Sajad Lone of contesting elections at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing the reporters in north Kashmir’s Rajwar, Handwara, Omar said, “Sajad Lone is closely associated with Nagpur and the BJP, and he’s simply following their directives.”
“I want to ask him, why didn’t he stop the BJP from bringing youth to Kashmir during his tenure? Why didn’t he speak to Big Brother Modi when girls were not allowed to wear Hijab in some Indian states?” Abdullah questioned. He added that Lone is making grand claims, but voters have the right to demand evidence of his accomplishments.
Highlighting the achievements of the National Conference, Omar said, “During our tenure, we built hospitals, colleges and schools and did everything within our capacity.” He criticised the practice of holding individuals responsible for the actions of their relatives, saying, “If someone is a militant, it doesn’t make their son, brother, or father a militant.”
The former CM accused the BJP of silencing Sajad Lone, preventing him from criticising the party’s actions that demoralise Muslims across the country. “Why isn’t Sajad asking his brother (Modi) to stop this?” he asked.
Abdullah recalled the incident when the National Conference supported Altaf Bukhari to become chief minister while Sajad Lone claimed he wanted the position, with a letter allegedly originating from Nagpur indicating BJP’s support for Lone’s candidacy.
He also slammed the People’s Democratic Party candidate Fayaz Mir, accusing him of being absent during the vote on Triple Talaq, thereby aiding the BJP in its implementation.
Regarding the abolition of Article 370, Abdullah accused Mir of being passive, saying, “He only tore his clothes in protest. He sold his seat and failed to represent the voices of the Kashmiri people.”
Omar urged people to come out and vote for the National Conference to “secure the future of the next generation”, claiming that his opponents are only contesting the election to assist the BJP.