Kashmir Row Escalates as NDA Leaders Target Farooq Abdullah

New Delhi, October 25: A fresh political row over Jammu and Kashmir broke out on Sunday as several NDA leaders criticised National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's remarks on the region.

The leaders defended the Centre's counter-terrorism measures, the removal of Article 370, and New Delhi's stance on Pakistan.

West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh asserted that Jammu and Kashmir's security situation has changed considerably. He said the people of the region want development and not terrorism.

“Jammu and Kashmir has no terrorists left. It has been liberated from terrorism. The people there do not want terrorism. Development is underway, and the Centre is integrating the region with the rest of the country to develop it. The people there are happy. Leaders there know only how to keep the region apart and play politics, but such politics will no longer be allowed,” Ghosh said.

He also targeted Abdullah, saying, “He shakes hands with Pakistan. Farooq Abdullah's politics has been running in this way till now. This will not be accepted anymore. Only the BJP can achieve progress and meet public aspirations.”

Uttar Pradesh minister OP Rajbhar too faulted Abdullah's comments. He pointed to the steps taken by the central government to control terrorist activities and bring back peace to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Farooq Abdullah probably does not know that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terrorist activities have been controlled on a large scale across the country. In Kashmir's case, you have seen that Article 370 was scrapped. The violence and bloodshed that used to take place there has also been significantly stopped,” Rajbhar said.

He added, “Today, whenever the Prime Minister goes on a visit to another country, he says that we have come from the land of Lord Buddha and carry a message of peace. We do not support fighting but want to live in friendship and love. The Prime Minister always gives this message.”

Former chief minister Abdullah had, on Saturday, addressed a party convention in Baramulla in north Kashmir. He questioned the Centre's silence on the Kashmir issue and said Pakistan's efforts to keep the matter alive internationally could matter for the region's future. He also raised questions about New Delhi.