DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Aug 31
Jammu and Kashmir BJP Spokesperson Abhijeet Jasrotia today launched a scathing attack on National Conference (NC) Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his remarks questioning the credentials of BJP leader Tarun Chug. Jasrotia reminded Omar that it was the BJP—the same party he now criticizes—that had once trained him as a Union Minister, emphasizing the seniority and credibility of the BJP in national politics.
Jasrotia challenged Omar Abdullah to explain to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who truly looted the state and pushed it toward chaos and anarchy. “You owe the people an explanation, Omar,” he said. “Tell them how the NC looted the state and drove it into darkness where 1.5 lakh people were killed in violence and Omar Abdullah was holidaying in London”. He criticised Omar Abdullah for betraying people of Jammu and Kashmir when they needed them the most and now trying to be a holy cow.
The BJP spokesperson highlighted the series of dynastic alliances that have defined the history of NC and Congress, dating back to the Sheikh Abdullah-Jawahar Lal Nehru alliance, the Indira-Sheikh Accord, the Farooq Abdullah-Rajiv Gandhi Accord, and the current Rahul Gandhi-Omar Abdullah alliance. Jasrotia accused these political accords of spoiling Jammu and Kashmir, pushing the region into instability and conflict.
Referring to Omar Abdullah’s recent comments about being in alliance with Congress “under compulsion,” Jasrotia stated that these alliances are nothing new. “These accords are merely dynastic pacts that have done irreparable damage to J&K,” he said. He said BJP won’t allow NC and Congress to exploit sentiments of people. BJP he added has broken the back bone of militancy and promises to safe return of Kashmiri pandits to Valley.
In a direct challenge to the NC leadership, Jasrotia asked Omar Abdullah to explain the deaths of over 1.5 lakh people during the tumultuous years under NC’s rule. He further questioned the NC’s push for “greater autonomy” and “pre-1953 status,” demanding clarification on these issues and their consequences for the state. These demand he said already stands rejected by all previous governments at the Centre and even by the people of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jasrotia also slammed the NC for denying rights to marginalized communities like the Gujjars and Bakerwals while reversing progress made under the BJP’s leadership. “The rights of women, West Pakistani refugees, and the Valmiki community have been restored by the BJP. Yet, Congress and NC are determined to take these rights away once again,” Jasrotia charged.
Jasrotia accused Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi of actively opposing the peace and progress currently unfolding in J&K. He pointed to the increasing influx of tourists as a positive indicator of stability in the region, which he claimed the NC and Congress are unwilling to accept. “Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah seem to prefer seeing more graves over the benefits of peace and development in J&K,” Jasrotia remarked. He alleged that healing tough that these parties including PDP had been raising slogans of healing touch which was more for militants than people.
He further alleged that the latest NC-Congress accord, like the previous ones, is a mere gimmick aimed at regaining power rather than serving the people of J&K. “Both Congress and NC have lost ground,” he said, “and their so-called ‘fresh accord’ is nothing but an attempt to block the progress and peace brought by the BJP.” Jasrotia warned that the Congress-NC alliance intends to roll back the peace initiatives implemented under BJP leadership, including plans to reinstate visa requirements for travel to J&K, something BJP will vehemently oppose. “They want to make it so that people need visas to visit Jammu and Kashmir. We will never allow that to happen,” he stated firmly.
The press briefing was attended by several key figures in the BJP including, BJP Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), Y.V. Sharma, and Ritika Trehan, who supported Jasrotia’s assertions and underscored the BJP’s commitment to ensuring peace, development, and stability in the region. The BJP continues to push for a credible government in Jammu and Kashmir that strengthens democracy and protects the rights of its people, while challenging the dynastic politics of the past.
