Omar takes dig at PDP-BJP for sharing power despite difference on Article 35-A

Taking a dig at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir for sharing power despite having severe differences over Article 35 A, working president of the main opposition National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah alleged that both the parties have common goal to remain in power. Mr Abdullah asked BJP to clear its stand on the claim by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured her that Article 35 A will be respected.

Taking to micro blogging site twitter, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mr Abdullah, said “ BJP committed to removal of 35-A & to remain in power. PDP talks of defending 35-A & wants to remain in power. Only thing common – power”. He further tweeted “ Dear @BJP4India in light of the assurances given by @PMOIndia to @MehboobaMufti when are you issuing a statement in support of 35-A?”. Dear @BJP4India would you care to issue a retraction for this statement in light of the commitment @MehboobaMufti claims to have from the PM”, he said. Ms Mufti and other PDP leaders have time and again assured that party will defend special status of the state at any cost.

She had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister RajNath Singh and other BJP leaders on the issue when some local leaders of BJP supported the demand of abrogation of Article 35 A. However, opposition NC, Congress and Communist Party of India (M) alleged that it was conspiracy of the coalition government to abrogate special status of the state. The separatists, who also joined the issue, had called for a general strike yesterday against the alleged attempts to abrogate the Article.