New parties being created to divide Kashmiris: Omar
National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah Thursday said the emergence of new political parties in Kashmir only was dividing Kashmiri voters.
Addressing an election rally in Lolab, Omar said six new political parties came up in the past 15 days in Kashmir but none in Jammu or Ladakh.
“I am no one to stop their entry into politics but why only in Kashmir, why not in Jammu and Ladakh?” he said.
“They are only dividing the votes of Kashmiris,” he said and challenged the new parties to contest elections in the other two divisions of the state also.
“I don’t say NC only has right to power. But if they really want to save Kashmir they should contest elections in other divisions as well,” Omar said.
He said that the upcoming election is significant as it will decide the future course of action on Articles 370 and 35A, asserting his party would ensure the protection of the two legislations “within and outside the courts”.
“The very special character of our state is facing overt as well as covert threats. These elections provide us with a good opportunity to send resourceful and capable people to the country’s highest house who can work for preserving
Omar targeted PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for bringing the National Investigation Agency to J&K.
He said during his stint as the CM, the NIA was used only once to secure the release of Liyaqat, a Kupwara resident and former militant who had been arrested while returning to Kashmir from Pakistan under a rehabilitation policy for militants.
Omar said he discussed Liyaqat’s case with the then Home
“Within two months Liyaqat was released and reunited with his family,” he added.
Omar said that if NC comes to power, cases against youths would be reviewed.
“We will ensure that our youth are not unnecessarily intimidated by the NIA. We will also put an end to the PSA,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Omar said that BJP leaders talk one thing in Delhi and another in Kashmir.
“In Delhi, they halt elections for state Assembly but in Srinagar Ram Madhav pitches for elections. If they aren’t able to conduct Assembly elections then they should publicly admit that they have made the situation so bad that elections couldn’t be conducted,” he said.
NC candidate for Baramulla seat Muhammad Akbar Lone, provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leaders Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone and Salam-ud-Din Bajad also addressed the gathering.
