Mufti is anti-Kashmiri: Omar

Srinagar, Sep 6 (UNI) National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah today alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was ''anti-Kashmiris'' as its leaders, including former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had ''opposed creation of four new districts in the Valley'' and asked the party to come clear on the issue.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr Abdullah said the PDP leadership had also opposed the double-shift system in the Valley introduced by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to complete all development-related works well in time.

He said even the NC as the main opposition party had welcomed the decision. ''We are for equitable development of all three regions of the state...There was no question of opposing Mr Azad's decision to create eight new districts in the state with four each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The PDP too should not have opposed the move. The party should come clear on the issue,'' Mr Abdullah said.

He said the ''political drama'' in the state unfolded with the refusal of Mr Azad to divest former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baigh of the portfolios of Finance, Planning, Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

The NC Chief said the ''drama'' culminated in the removal of Mr Baigh from the state Cabinet. ''But, before Mr Baigh left the state Cabinet, he revealed some disturbing facts. The PDP is answerable to the people about Mr Baigh's revelations,'' he added.

Mr Abdullah also said the PDP should clear its stand vis-a-vis its self-rule idea in the wake of Mr Baigh's statement that it was similar to the NC's autonomy proposal.

He alleged that the PDP leadership strongly believed in ''double-speak'' on all important issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The NC president said Mr Baigh had alleged that there were some people in the PDP who want that Mr Azad should be disgraced. ''We want to know who they are and what is their intention...Why do they want to do so. These elements should be exposed and removed from the party by the PDP leadership,'' he added.

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