Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah dared the BJP to conduct polls in the Union Territory saying there was a growing anger amongst the public.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday on the issue of conducting polls in Union territory saying the people were suffering as they were being denied their right to an elected government, adding that there is a growing public anger.
“Today, when we are told almost everyday that the situation is far improved. It is as close to normal… I believe, unfortunately, Jammu and Kashmir is that place where democracy in India goes to be buried,” he said during an event in the national capital on Friday, as per a PTI report.
“Almost everything provokes the people to come out because there is a simmering, sort of, resentment about the way things have been after August 5, 2019. And it is more visible in Jammu than Kashmir,” he said, mentioning installation of smart meters, levying of house tax and operationalisation of toll plazas among others.
Article 370 that granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated on August 5, 2019 and two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — were formed.
Abdullah said that BJP is afraid that it may not get a favourable outcome as one of the reasons for not conducting the polls.
“I can only speculate but the only conclusion I can draw is that the BJP is afraid of what the results will look like. They don’t want to damage their chances in the Parliament elections.
“Because they have gone and told not to the rest of the country but the whole world that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are happy with what happened on August 5, 2019. What other reasons could there be for not having elections in Jammu and Kashmir?” asked Abdullah, Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC).
Looking at the mood on the ground even in Jammu, besides the valley where “the BJP of course doesn’t stand much chance anyway”, the BJP and even its associated parties will find it tough going, he added.
“So I guess until the BJP is satisfied that they can produce sizeable number of elected representatives, Jammu and Kashmir will continue to be denied its right to an elected government,” said the NC leader.
Abdullah asked the Centre to “have the courage to say that the situation is worse than it was before 2019”.
