Budgam, J&K – Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sharply criticized the People's Democratic Party (PDP), holding them responsible for the events leading to the revocation of Article 370 and the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir to a Union Territory. Addressing a gathering in Budgam on Friday, ahead of the constituency's bypoll on November 11, Abdullah accused the PDP of betraying the trust of the people by forming a government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the 2014 assembly elections.
Abdullah, who vacated the Budgam seat after winning it in the previous assembly polls, alongside his traditional seat of Ganderbal, emphasized the significance of the upcoming bypoll. While acknowledging that the election wouldn't impact the National Conference (NC) government, he stressed its importance in sending a strong message.
"A year ago, my colleagues and I asked you to vote for me so that we could keep the BJP out of power and form our own government," Abdullah stated. "The people accepted that appeal and gave us their mandate, and we have remained steadfast in our principles, staying away from the BJP". He contrasted this with the PDP's actions, who, according to Abdullah, also campaigned on keeping the BJP out of power.
"In 2014 our rival PDP asked people to vote for them to keep the BJP out. And from Qazigund to Kupwara, people did so. But they betrayed that trust. The very next day, PDP joined hands with BJP and formed the govt," the former Chief Minister asserted. He directly blamed the PDP-BJP alliance of 2014-2015 for the subsequent political changes in Jammu and Kashmir, including the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the region's demotion from a state to a Union Territory. "What happened in 2019 and after was because of that alliance," he said.
Article 370 granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution, a separate flag, and independence over all matters except foreign affairs, defense, and communications. This autonomy was significantly eroded over the years, culminating in the revocation of the article in 2019. The revocation also extended to Article 35A, which gave special privileges to permanent residents, including state government jobs and the exclusive right to own property.
Abdullah further claimed that had the NC, like the PDP, formed a government with the BJP after the previous elections, Jammu and Kashmir could have remained a state. "But I was not ready to deceive my mandate," he declared. Despite serving as the Chief Minister of a Union Territory, Abdullah highlighted the developmental works his government has undertaken in the region. He explained that he vacated the Budgam seat because the law prohibits holding two constituencies simultaneously.
The revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir have been subjects of intense debate and legal challenges. In December 2023, the Supreme Court of India upheld the Union government's decision to abrogate Article 370, stating that it was a temporary provision and that the President had the power to revoke it. The court also recommended that elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, 2024. The long-term implications of these changes on the region's political landscape and its relationship with the rest of India continue to be a matter of discussion and concern.
