Udhampur/Jammu. National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah said that the recent terrorist attacks in the relatively peaceful Jammu division show the alleged failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the party should apologize to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the BJP has given a ‘clean chit’ to Pakistan by holding the NC, Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) responsible for terrorism in the Union Territory. The former chief minister said, “What is the situation of terrorism in Jammu region where our brave force personnel are often targeted? BJP should first answer why terrorism spread in Jammu region after 2014, especially in the last three years when attacks have increased.
He said, “There is no place in Jammu where terrorist attacks have not taken place, be it Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal region, Yariyasi, Kathua, Udhampur, Jammu and Samba… This is their (BJP government’s) plan.” Reflects the failure and the party should accept it and apologize to the public.” Omar, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a public meeting organized in support of party candidate Sunil Verma from Udhampur East Assembly seat, referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement. Reference was made to NC, Congress and PDP who have held NC, Congress and PDP responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “When BJP leaders speak in Jammu and Kashmir, they hold us responsible, but when they speak outside the Union Territory, they hold Pakistan responsible.”
The NC vice president said, “They (BJP leadership) do not say a thing. If we are responsible then why don’t they talk to Pakistan? You are holding us responsible (for terrorism) from the soil of Jammu and Kashmir, thus giving a clean chit to Pakistan. They are giving contradictory statements and adopting different stands to confuse the public,” he said, but the National Conference speaks with one voice whether it is Jammu and Kashmir or anywhere else. BJP has criticized NC’s manifesto. When asked about this, Omar Abdullah said, “What can you expect from them that they will praise our manifesto?” They are contesting elections against us and it is natural that they will oppose our manifesto.
“I am happy and thank them for their response,” he said. We are a small regional party and we have nothing outside Jammu and Kashmir, yet they have made our manifesto a topic of discussion in the entire country. There would hardly be any Union Minister or Chief Minister (of BJP) who has not talked about our manifesto. I am thankful to the BJP.” On BJP leadership targeting him by name, Omar said, ”Despite being away from power for so long, if the Prime Minister or the Home Minister is remembering me in his speeches, then it means that That I have done something good.” The NC leader claimed that the BJP is nervous due to its poor performance in the first two phases of the assembly elections. Earlier, while addressing NC and Congress workers, Omar said that BJP is saying that if “we form the government, we will wipe out terrorism”.
Abdullah said, “We had eliminated terrorism from Jammu before 2014, but this double engine government paved the way for its return.” Omar Abdullah said, “They are saying that there will be attacks on pilgrims while the reality is It is during his rule that such attacks took place. Be it the attack on Amarnath pilgrims (in Kashmir in July 2017) during the BJP-PDP government or the attack on pilgrims going to Shiv Khori (in June 2024), he accused the BJP of reviving terrorism in Jammu and increasing unemployment. And accused of ruining the Union Territory. Omar Abdullah said, “They (BJP) do not know how to do anything except dividing people in the name of religion.” He appealed to the people to unite against divisive policies and strengthen secular forces.
