J&K poll: Omar Abdullah accuses Sajjad Lone of ganging up with BJP

Srinagar, Nov 29: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused Sajad Gani Lone of ganging up with the BJP, which he alleged wants to end the special status of the state, a charge which the separatist-turned-politician said was "shameless". [PDP was responsible for Afzal Guru's fate, says National Conference]

"Today, suddenly one of the leaders (Sajad Lone) sees a brother in (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. The brother who wants to remove Article 370, the flag and the Constitution of this state." [J&K assembly election 2014 schedule]

"The brother who wants to bring down our mosque and construct a temple there, a brother who wants to remove the Shariah law (Muslim Personal Law) and replace it with uniform civil code," Omar said addressing an election rally in Handwara area of Kupwara district.

Lone, who joined mainstream politics by contesting 2009 Lok Sabha polls, is making his debut in Assembly Elections by contesting from Handwara segment which goes to polls on December 2. BJP has not fielded its candidate from Handwara segment.

Omar said people of Kashmir do not need such "brothers" and wished Lone "all the best".

"If I had been Bilal Lone (Sajad's elder brother), I would have been scared today," said Omar

Lone also hit out at Omar saying his allegations against him were "shameless".

"I do not want to get personal against Omar but his remarks against me on Article 370 and other issues are just shameless. I do not need tutoring from Omar on Article 370. He is talking about preserving the cultural identity when he cannot even speak Kashmiri. He has lived all his life outside the state and got power on a platter," Lone said.

The separatist-turned-politician said Omar should ask his father how he and his grandfather sold the soul of Article 370.

Lone had met Modi on November 10 and after the meeting described the Prime Minister as "elder brother".

Lone, who joined mainstream politics by contesting 2009 Lok Sabha polls, is making his debut in Assembly Elections by contesting from Handwara segment which goes to polls on December 2. BJP has not fielded a candidate from Handwara segment.

"What have I done? I have never entered the Assembly. Article 370 has been eroded by National Conference and Congress," Lone alleged.

He said Omar has made a public speech but it was the people who would decide on December 2, when polls would be held.

Lone met PM Modi on Nov 10 and described the latter as elder brother

Omar had asked the people to give a verdict for their honour by voting for National Conference and voting against those who used the separatist platform to exploit thousands of young boys right to their youthful graves to reach a stage where they could impetuously jump in to the lap of RSS.

The J&K Chief Minister said National Conference would not allow any political force to toy around with the political sentiments, aspirations and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesman for Kashmir, Khalid Jehangir said Omar was frustrated at the prospects of losing in the Assembly Elections.

"He has lost relevance in Kashmir politics. With nothing to show for in his six year rule, he was making such statements," Jehangir said.

PTI