Jammu: National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today said that safeguarding Article 35A was in the larger interest of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Asserting that defending Constitution of India, to which Article 35A is integral, cannot be anti-national, Mr Abdullah lamented over BJP making this proviso a Hindu versus Muslim and the state versus rest of the country issue after falling short of arguments to justify their moves in this regard. Addressing party workers at Darhal in Rajouri district, Mr Abdullah while coming down heavily on the BJP asked how can fingers be raised against National Conference for opposing the clandestine moves of repealing Article 35A, which is a constitutional guarantee to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for preserving their distinct identity and dignity, irrespective of religion or caste. He accused the BJP of dividing people on region and religion to further its anti-people agenda. Mr Abdullah reassured people that as long as National Conference flag is fluttering high across Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A will remain part of the Constitution of India. ”Article 35A reflects our identity; it allows us to shape our destiny and we cannot therefore let it go’’, he declared amid huge applause and asked people to close their ranks for defending this, come what may. The National Conference Working President cautioned people not to remain complacent on this sensitive issue, especially as the BJP is working on a planned strategy drawn as back as the conception of the PDP in 2000. ”The pen and ink-pot party had been conceived to further the agenda of RSS and BJP in this state’’, he said. The former Chief Minister also reminded the people how fiercely PDP had campaigned against BJP in 2014 assembly and parliamentary elections, claiming that this was the only party that can stop the Modi juggernaut in Jammu and Kashmir. ”No sooner the fractured results became public the PDP aligned with the BJP and formed the government’’, he added. ”By facilitating BJP to make inroads in Jammu and Kashmir and allowing its dream of joining the government come true, PDP has betrayed the trust of people’’, he said, adding that if the PDP is allowed to make compromises, one after another, the day is not far when the BJP could not even need their support to rule the state. Therefore, he said, safeguarding Article 35A is a foremost responsibility of all, as it is in the larger interests of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
