KULGAM — National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Prime Minister’s comments on political dynasties during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, the former J&K Chief Minister referred to a recent militant attack that claimed the lives of two soldiers and ongoing encounters in the Union Territory, accusing the Prime Minister of using the issue of political families to divert attention from more pressing concerns.
“When the BJP needed help from these families (Abdullah and Mufti), we were not blamed for the destruction of J&K. They had no issues with the PDP when they were in alliance with them in J&K. Yet, during elections, they find everything wrong with us. Tomorrow, if the BJP falls short of numbers and the PDP steps in to help, they’ll again find no fault with the PDP. It’s all about timing. PM Narendra Modi should have addressed this,” Abdullah said while campaigning in Kulgam.
Abdullah is contesting the Ganderbal assembly constituency in the upcoming elections.
“Two Army personnel were killed in a militant attack, and an encounter is currently ongoing in North Kashmir. The Prime Minister talks about families to divert people’s attention from real issues. It’s been five years since the abrogation of Article 370, and yet we still hear about encounters,” he added.
Earlier, while addressing an election rally in Doda, PM Modi stated that the forthcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be a battle between “three dynasties” and the youth of the Union Territory. He named Congress, the National Conference (NC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the dynasties whose corrupt practices had “hollowed out” and “destroyed” Jammu and Kashmir.
“This year, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections will be fought between the dynasties and the youth of the region. These three families are responsible for the dire state J&K was in for decades. They indulged in corruption and made you struggle for your basic needs. They laid the groundwork for terrorism and extremism in the valley, providing a safe haven for the spread of terrorism for personal gain,” the Prime Minister said.
“These three dynasties–the Congress, the National Conference, and the PDP–have committed a grave wrong. Together, they laid the foundation for separatism and terrorism here. Who benefitted? The enemies of the nation. They fostered terrorism so that their personal fortunes could flourish. They are responsible for the decades-long ruin of Jammu and Kashmir,” PM Modi remarked. — (ANI)