Sajad Lone fighting elections at Nagpur’s behest: Omar

Srinagar, May 7: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday questioned Sajad Gani Lone on being a silent spectator to what BJP is doing to Kashmir.
Omar said this while addressing a series of public meetings in Drugmulla and Ramhal in district Kupwara. The meetings were organised by Senior NC leader Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan. Among others Shammi Oberoi,Nasir Aslam Wani, Sharief Ud Din Shariq, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone, party’s local unit, YNC, Women’s wing functionaries were also present on the occasion.
In a scathing attack on Sajad Lone, Omar said, “I want to ask him, why didn’t he stop the BJP leaders targeting Muslims in their election speeches? Why didn’t he speak to Big Brother Modi when girls were not allowed to wear Hijab in some Indian states? What benefit did Kashmir get from their brotherly relation? Did he use his bond with the PM to stop arrests of our youth? Why didn’t he impress upon his elder brother to stop the intimidation of our youth? Why did he choose to keep tight-lipped when the Uri-Muzaffarabad trade route was closed? He could have asked his elder brother to open the trade route, stop wanton arrests and release our youngsters languishing in jails across the country. In reality the relation only favours him,so far the people have not benefited from his brotherly relations with PM Modi Ji. Why didn’t Sajad ask his elder brother to stop marginalising minorities, particularly Muslims across the country? How can our people expect that he will speak for Kashmir in Lok Sabha,when all these years he chose to remain silent.”
Highlighting the achievements of National Conference, Omar said, “During our tenure, we built hospitals, colleges and schools and did everything within our capacity. What did they do? Where is the much touted development? Where are the promised hospitals, jobs and Industries? He criticised the practice of holding individuals responsible for the actions of their relatives, saying, “If someone is a militant, it doesn’t make their son, brother, or father a militant.”
Omar recalled the incident when J&K National Conference supported Altaf Bukhari to become chief minister while Sajad Lone claimed he wanted the position, with a letter allegedly originating from Nagpur indicating BJP’s support for Lone’s candidacy.
He also slammed the People’s Democratic Party candidate Fayaz Mir, accusing him of being absent during the vote on Triple Talaq, thereby aiding the BJP in its implementation.
Regarding the abolition of Article 370, Abdullah accused Mir of being passive, saying, “He only tore his clothes in protest. He sold his seat and failed to represent the voices of the Kashmiri people.”
Omar urged people to come out and vote for the National Conference so as to “secure the future of the next generation”, claiming that his opponents are only contesting the election to assist the BJP.