Omar Abdullah, the prominent leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, has voiced his skepticism regarding the BJP’s decision not to nominate candidates from Kashmir, despite their assertions of steering the region towards development post the Article 370 abrogation. Addressing several public gatherings, Abdullah highlighted the absence of BJP contenders in three Valley constituencies, attributing it to the party’s acknowledgment of its precarious position in the region.
Expressing dismay, Abdullah countered the BJP’s narrative of Kashmir’s advancement since the Article 370 repeal by pointing to pressing issues facing the community. He referenced the tragic Gandbal boat incident stemming from an incomplete bridge, attributing responsibility to those who pledged development during the 2019 election campaigns.
Abdullah criticized the BJP’s governance, accusing it of eroding Kashmiri identity and land rights. He underscored the absence of significant infrastructural developments such as educational institutions and healthcare facilities, contrasting it with the proliferation of liquor shops and the rise of substance abuse among the youth.
Furthermore, Abdullah condemned the BJP’s alleged divisive tactics, asserting that Muslims find no acceptance within the party, which he accused of fomenting communal animosity. He questioned the sustainability of such polarizing strategies in the long term, especially in the context of ongoing elections.
Encouraging voters to elect representatives empathetic to their concerns, Abdullah emphasized the need for true understanding and representation in Delhi, cautioning against affiliations subservient to external interests.
In a parallel narrative, Farooq Abdullah, President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, echoed concerns over the BJP’s exploitation of Kashmiri migrants’ plight for political mileage. He called for genuine efforts to address their grievances and facilitate their rightful return and resettlement in their native land.
During his interactions with Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah appealed for support for the National Conference candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, advocating for unified representation from the Kashmir valley.
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