Uri, Apr 07: Accusing the Peoples Democratic Party and Peoples Conference of providing space to Bharatiya Janata Party in the state, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday asserted that the forces which as are hell-bent to “obliterate the special status of the state” are coming forth holding lotus and apple in their hands.
Addressing an election campaign rally at Uri, Omar Abdullah said the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir joined hands with the Union of India on certain conditions and assurances.
“We are not like any other state of India. We have our own flag, our own constitution. Today our state is facing onslaught on its special status from all sides. Forces as are inimical to the unity and integrity of our state are coming in different hues and some are holding lotus in their hands and some apple.
“I caution you again about their nefarious designs. Their sole agenda is to obliterate every spec of our special character,” Abdullah said.
He said that the biggest problem that the state is facing is that of unemployment and any attack on Article 35-A will have far reaching consequences on the employment prospects of our youth. “Article 35-A confers upon us certain rights vis-à-vis employment and scholarship. Nonetheless, BJP-RSS and their cronies in the state want to snatch this right from our educated youngsters.
“The situation of unemployment is already grim in our state and doing away with Article 35-A will inadvertently put the future of our children in doldrums. In order to ensure our children a secure future we have to remain vigilant of these BJP-RSS cronies,” he said.
“Today people from PC and PDP are coming to you for votes. But people of Uri are asking them as to where was their concern when people were fleeing Uri following border skirmishes; what happened to their promise of building roads? Where was their concern when our traders, students were being attacked across parts of country after Pulwama tragedy?
“We have seen how Sajad (Lone) flaunted brotherly relations with Modi. He has many a times said that Modi was his elder brother. Why didn’t he ask his elder brother to ensure safety of our traders, students across the country?” Abdullah said.
Flaying PDP and PC for providing space to BJP in the state said, Abdullah said, “When I was the chief minister of the state, I resisted the implementation of NFSA (National Food Security Act), however PDP-PC took no time to implement it. Today our mothers and sisters are finding it very difficult to run their kitchen. Who is to be blamed for it?
“GST was implemented by the PDP-PC-BJP combine as well. Today we see that every commodity and services being taxed heavily. Every edible has become dearer. The lives of lakhs of APL and BPL consumers have been put to duress. Who is to be blamed for it?
“People are better judges of the follies of PDP-PC. Posterity will never forgive them for playing havoc with the interests of the people of the state.”
He alleged “the PDP-BJP combine has aggravated the situation to the extent that the sole artery of ours, our national highway has been closed for civilian traffic. Where will the patients go who are being referred to Srinagar hospitals? What will the students do?”
Omar Abdullah said that people are the real source of power and the sole purpose of the leadership is to serve people.
“Political class is meant to serve people. National Conference once in power will ensure that the people of Uri get their due share in the border trade,” he said.
