Farooq Abdullah Asserts Article 370 Restoration as Voice of J&K

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stated that restoring Article 370 is the collective voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, promising that the special provision will be reinstated despite the time it may take. Abdullah also criticized the BJP for claiming that Article 370's abrogation would end terrorism.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Monday emphasized that the restoration of Article 370 represents the unified voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting the special provision of the erstwhile state would undoubtedly be reinstated, even if it takes years.

Abdullah's comments came shortly after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that Article 370's restoration is impossible as long as the BJP is in power.

'I want to ask him how many years did it take for them (BJP) to revoke it? We might take many years to restore it, but we will surely restore it. This is the voice of the whole J-K, this is the voice of the people,' Abdullah told reporters in Baramulla district.

Reacting to recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, the NC president pointed out that BJP had blamed Article 370 for terrorism in J&K, but attacks persist post-abrogation.

'They were saying terrorism is there because of Article 370...I want to ask them, where is this terrorism coming from then? Let them answer,' he added.

The former chief minister held New Delhi accountable for the prevailing situation in J&K.

'Who is responsible for (hijacking of flight) IC814 which was taken to Kandahar? People like (Jaish-e-Mohammad chief) (Massod) Azhar, etc., who are there and are running things now, I had told them (New Delhi) not to take (release) them (militants), but they did not listen. New Delhi is responsible for whatever is happening here,' the NC president said.

In response to Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani's remarks that the NC has 'sucked the blood' of the people, Abdullah, whose party is in a pre-poll alliance with the Congress for the J&K assembly elections, maintained that it would not affect the alliance.

'Let him say whatever he wants. I cannot stop anyone. But, his party stands with us we are in the alliance, and God willing, we will continue to be in the alliance even without him,' he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)