Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday resolved that NC has not backtracked from Gupkar Declaration and reiterated that a concrete strategy will be chalked out once leaders in prison will walk out.
Talking to Shaherbeen Radio Program, Dr. Abdullah said that the party’s stand over Article 370 and 35(A) has not changed. “Our stand is clear on Article 370 and 35(A). There is no change in it. Party stands on Gupkar Declaration”, he said.
He said the government of India has “unconstitutionally” snatched the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and urged for the immediate repeal of decisions taken on August 5, 2019. “New Delhi has snatched special status of J-K under Article 370 and 35(A) unconstitutionally but we will bring it back with a constitutional fight”, Dr. Abdullah said.
He added the tall claims of development in J-K post-abrogation of Article 370 are prank which New Delhi is using to hoodwink its countrymen. He also added that the process of delimitation is absolute “wrong exercise” and an attempt to change the demographic character of J-K which will be resisted tooth and nail.
“NC will resist delimitation process sternly as it is purely aimed to change the demographic character of J-K”, NC President said.
When asked why NC kept grave silence after August 5, 2019, Dr Abdullah said “Party has not changed its stand on this core issue. We will draft a future course of action once leaders in prison will walk out”.
Pertinently former Chief Minister and vice-president of NC Omar Abdullah in a column written to national daily hinted out that he will not contest Assembly election in J-K if New Delhi will not undo the decisions taken on August 5 last year.
“As for me, I am very clear that while J&K remains a Union Territory I will not be contesting any Assembly elections. Having been a member of the most empowered Assembly in the land and that, too, as the leader of that Assembly for six years, I simply cannot and will not be a member of a House that has been disempowered the way ours has”, Mr. Omar wrote in an article for a national newspaper. (KNS)
