In a pointed critique of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the BJP has alleged that Abdullah offered unconditional support to the BJP for government formation in 2014 and even agreed to a full-term BJP Chief Minister.
Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana made these claims during a press conference, where he was joined by R P Singh, BJP national spokesperson, Arun Gupta, J&K BJP spokesperson and War Room Incharge, and Dr. Pardeep Mahotra.
Rana, who was previously a provincial president of the National Conference (NC) and elected to the Legislative Assembly from Nagrota in 2014, criticized Abdullah for his recent statements about the BJP. According to Rana, Abdullah has been suggesting that all political parties in Kashmir are closely aligned with the BJP, a notion he described as false.
Rana alleged that in 2014, when the NC had 15 MLAs, Abdullah approached senior BJP and RSS leaders in Delhi, offering unconditional support for the formation of a government in Jammu and Kashmir. Rana claimed that Abdullah even proposed that a BJP Chief Minister serve a full term.
“I accompanied Omar Abdullah during that time, and he offered unconditional support to the BJP for forming the government and even agreed to a full-term BJP Chief Minister,” Rana said. However, he added that the BJP rejected this offer.
Rana further accused Abdullah of continuing to seek a partnership with the BJP and the RSS after the death of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He alleged that Abdullah approached top BJP and RSS leaders again, offering similar support.
“Farooq Abdullah, who was in Katra at the time, advised Omar to meet BJP and RSS leaders in Delhi and offer unconditional support,” Rana said, reiterating that the BJP rejected these proposals.
Rana criticized the NC for trying to create a narrative that they have no ties with the BJP, suggesting that the party is misleading the public. He urged the NC to focus on developing a future roadmap for the betterment of the people rather than attempting to deceive them.
In addition, Rana accused the NC of advocating for the release of jailed stone pelters, implying that this stance could foster unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. “Have they forgotten the unrest of 2009 and 2010?” he questioned.
Rana also addressed BJP’s manifesto, asserting that the party would not allow the NC to play with the sentiments of Hindus. He highlighted the BJP’s commitment to renaming Shankaracharya as Takht-e-Suleman as part of their electoral agenda.
