‘NC-Congress alliance will ensure statehood for J&K’: Farooq Abdullah, day after Shah’s remarks

In a reply to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, President National Congress Farooq Abdullah called out BJP for divisive politics in the country.

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National Congress President Farooq Abdullah. (PTI Photo)

Hitting back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his state that “only the Government of India and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi can restore statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah reiterated that the alliance between his party and the Congress will fulfil the statehood promise if voted to power.

“National Conference and Congress will ensure that we get our statehood back,” the veteran leader told reporters on Sunday.

On Saturday, targeting Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah had said: “Rahul Baba takes the pledge that he will give back statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah how will you give it back?”

#WATCH | Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah says “They (BJP) are scared of the National Conference. They will do everything possible to defame the National Conference but we will win and change the fate of the people. I just want to say to him (HM Amit Shah)… pic.twitter.com/FBTTvETa8D

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024

Responding to the comments by Shah, the former J&K CM said: “Jis Bharat wo bna na chahte hai, hum us Bharat ke khilaf hai… (We oppose the idea of India that the BJP propagates). India belongs to everyone… Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and others… The ones who are raising questions on Muslims should know that Muslims have also contributed and sacrificed their lives for Independence.”

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a rally in Jammu on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

Speaking about claims made by BJP leaders that there has been a dip in terror activities in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370, Farooq Abdullah said, “They say that if the National Conference and Congress come to power, terrorism will be on the rise. I want to ask them if they managed to end terrorism with the abrogation of Article 370.”

The Union Home Minister is in Jammu to kickstart the BJP’s campaign ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. Regarding the abrogation of Article 370, Shah had said on Saturday: “Mothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir have got their rights and this NC-Congress (combine) wants to withdraw it. They want to bring out of jail the stone-pelters and those involved in militancy… Will you allow militancy to return to the peaceful areas of Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch and Doda?”

The Congress and NC have formed an alliance for all 90 seats for the coming elections.

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