Srinagar: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah Wednesday lashed out at the Centre for inviting foreign diplomats to observe the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the polls were an internal matter of India and “we do not need their certificate”.
“I don’t know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here,” the NC vice-president told reporters here. “When foreign governments comment, then the Government of India says ‘this is an internal matter for India’ and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come and look at our elections.”
This “guided tour” is not a good thing, he said, alleging the Centre wants to take credit for the people’s participation in these polls “which is a betrayal with the people here”.
Abdullah said the assembly elections in J&K “are an internal matter for us”, and “we do not need their certificate”.
“Also, this participation (of people in polls) is not because of the government of India, it is inspite of everything that the government of India did. They have humiliated people, they have used all the machinery of the government to detain and harass people.
“Inspite of that, people are coming and participating in the elections. So, this is not something the government of India should be highlighting. But, anyway, that’s the way they are,” he said.
The NC leader asked if foreign diplomats can be invited and why are foreign journalists not permitted.
“No permission was given to any foreign journalist who had applied to cover the elections. But, these diplomats are being given a guided tour like tourists which is not a good thing,” he said.
