17-Apr-2025 10:43 PM
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Srinagar, Apr 17 (Reporter) A day after a political storm erupted in J&K over former RAW chief A S Dulat’s book, the National Conference said the party President Farooq Abdullah, is a “symbol of democratic resistance against the unilateral decisions made by the Center on August 5, 2019.”
Dulat in the book 'The Chief Minister and the Spy' claimed that Farooq Abdullah had privately endorsed abrogation of Article 370 and even expressed readiness to "help" in the process if taken into "confidence".
The NC rank and file on Thursday criticized the remarks made by former RAW chief against Abdullah, calling the claims completely untrue and saying it was a blatant attempt to generate publicity for the book.
In a joint statement, the senior leaders of the party, including party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Advisor to chief minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, Provincial Presidents Showkat Mir, Rattan Lal Gupta, party MPs, senior leaders Sakina Itoo, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Sharief Ud Din Shariq, Ratan Lal Gupta, Ajay Sadhotra, Khalid Nejeeb Suharwardhy, Shameema Firdous, Mubarak Gul, district Presidents, block Presidents vehemently denounced the remarks made by Dulat as a desperate attempt to gain cheap publicity for the book.
In a statement they emphasized that the party President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, is a symbol of democratic resistance against the unilateral decisions made by the center on August 5, 2019.
“Dr. Abdullah was the driving force behind the formation of the PAGD (People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration) in response to these decisions,” they added.
The PAGD was formed in October 2020 by several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the NC, PDP, CPI(M), and others, to restore the special status of J&K, which was revoked by the central government in August 2019. However, the alliance eventually became inactive, with most parties pursuing their political agendas.
The NC leaders pointed out that Dulat's accusations are baseless, especially considering his previous allegations against former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which were denied by the People's Democratic Party.
“How can PDP trust his current claims when his past statements have been refuted by them? It is clear that Dulat's motives are questionable.”
Furthermore, the leaders highlighted Abdullah's history of standing up for Kashmir's autonomy, even in the face of adversity.
“His government was dismissed in 1984, and he has been unjustly jailed and placed under house arrest multiple times since 2019. The NC had warned the PDP against allying with the BJP, foreseeing the negative impact it would have on the region's autonomy. People of Kashmir are well aware of who truly stands up for their rights,” the statement said. “ Dulat's attempts to smear Dr. Farooq Abdullah's reputation have been debunked, leaving no room for the PDP and other parties to spread false narratives. Even the author had retracted from what is being peddled on social media platforms,” they said...////...