Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday lambasted the Centre for delaying the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir even when the promise and decision to abrogate Article 370 is approaching its 6th anniversary on Tuesday.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it is the responsibility of the BJP-ruled Central government to return the rights of the people.
He said the BJP must announce the election dates for Rajya Sabha seats to extend the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to be represented in Rajya Sabha.
Farooq accused the Central government of purposely delaying the statehood return, as he was quoted as asking, “When are they going to return the statehood?
They said that the minute you have elections and the government is formed, the statehood will be restored.
He further asked why they are not holding elections on Rajya Sabha seats when they can hold the elections for two vacant assembly seats. Why are they denying people the right to get to that house to speak of their problems?”
When asked about BJP’s celebratory programmes ahead of the anniversary of Article 370, the senior NC leader said the BJP has nothing to celebrate. The unemployment levels and inflation have surged across Jammu and Kashmir in the past six years.
“They have nothing to celebrate. What did they (BJP) do in six years to make this state better? Our highly educated boys and girls remain unemployed. Prices are rising into the sky. The poor are getting poorer, while the rich are getting richer. Is that what they have achieved? I am sure they will have to do it; there is no way out.” Abdullah said.
While taking a dig at the LG administration, he said, “His viceroy is sitting here in Raj Bhawan. There is a government (in J&K), but the viceroy is the main man. Time has come to keep him aside for the greater good of Jammu and Kashmir, as we are a democratic nation, adding he needs to go.”
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