'BJP Wanted to Enslave J&K People': Farooq Abdullah Slams Opposition
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah accuses BJP of wanting to enslave J&K people following opposition to the statehood resolution.
In a scathing attack on the ruling party, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of harboring long-standing intentions to "enslave" the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The veteran leader's remarks come in the wake of a heated political standoff regarding a recent resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly to restore statehood to the Union Territory.
The Statehood Conflict
The political friction ignited following the passage of a fresh resolution for the restoration of statehood in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on September 28. While the National Conference has made the restoration of statehood a cornerstone of its agenda since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the BJP has emerged as a fierce critic of the move.
The BJP has labeled the resolution a "black agenda" and has staged various protests across the region against the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The opposition party further alleged that the Chief Minister is actively suppressing the voices of those in opposition.
Defending the Legislative Process
Addressing reporters following the Autumn Session of the Legislative Assembly, Farooq Abdullah dismissed the BJP's criticisms of the Chief Minister. He asserted that the scrutiny faced by the leadership is a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy.
"The very purpose of the Assembly session is to hold discussions, bring the government's errors to light, and have the government respond to them," Abdullah stated. He emphasized that targeting the Chief Minister is an inherent part of the legislative process, adding, "Whoever holds this office has to face these things."
Key Highlights of the Assembly Session
The Autumn Session, which ran from September 21 to September 30, was marked by intense debates and public concerns. During the seven-sitting session, legislators focused on several critical issues affecting the residents of the Union Territory, including:
- Employment opportunities for the youth
- Reservation policies
- The regularisation of workers
- Rising power tariffs
- Various other pressing public grievances
As the demand for statehood gains momentum—with the local ruling party recently taking the issue to the national capital—the political divide between the National Conference and the BJP shows no signs of narrowing.