BJP ‘reaches agreement’ with regional parties, independents to form JK govt: Omar Abdullah

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed that the BJP had “struck a deal” with some regional parties and independent candidates to be part of the Jammu and Kashmir government. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks in Jammu, Abdullah said he was “silent” about the Apni Party and the People’s Conference during his speech at the BJP manifesto launch on Friday.

“…those who have struck a deal with Delhi will not meet your demands. If you need proof, just look at Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Jammu yesterday,” the NC vice-president said.

“The Home Minister has listed the parties with which the BJP will not form the government. However, he has remained silent on Independents because they are on good terms (with them). He has remained silent on Apni Party and People’s Conference,” he said.

Speaking at an election rally in Ganderbal assembly, Abdullah added: “I thought he would at least name Engineer Rashid’s party (Awami Ittehad Party), but he did not.”

While releasing the party manifesto in Jammu on Friday, Shah expressed confidence in forming the government in Jammu and Kashmir. “There will be no government led by PDP, NC and Congress under the leadership of dynasties. The BJP will explore other possibilities,” Shah said.

Abdullah is contesting the Ganderbal and Budgam assembly elections, which will be held in the second phase of polls on September 25. Abdullah reiterated his claims that the jailed people are contesting against him specifically and named the names of Awami Ittehad Party’s Sheikh Abdul Rashid – who defeated him in the Lok Sabha elections – and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati who is pitted against the NC leader in the upcoming assembly elections. “I wonder why the jailed people are looking for me and want to contest elections against me. What is the reason?” he asked. He had earlier suggested that Barkati, who was from Zainapora, Shopian, was contesting against him as part of a “Delhi conspiracy”, again referring to the central government.

Abdullah said it was no coincidence that these imprisoned people were contesting the elections against him. “They only want to target one person: the Ganderbal National Conference candidate,” he said.

In the parliamentary elections, Barkati is also contesting the Beerwah seat, which was represented by Abdullah from 2014 to 2018.

Barkati was a prominent figure during protest rallies in Shopian and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016. Barkati was first arrested in 2016 and charged under the Public Safety Act. He was arrested again last year and faces charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The former chief minister said if the only criticism against him was that he does not live in Ganderbal, then it would be an injustice to the people of the constituency. Candidates who have nothing to say raise issues like “locals versus outsiders”, he said.

“I have always worked in Ganderbal, wherever I come from. I was an MLA for six years and an MLA three times. It is also worth knowing that my grandfather was an MLA here, my grandmother was an MLA and my father was both an MLA and an MLA for this segment.

“I ask my detractors to highlight what they have done for Ganderbal and I will list my work here… Do you have anything to compare with the district hospital, central university, roads, physical education college and new administrative units? If you have done anything to match these works that I have done, I testify before God that I will quit the competition,” he added.