Many states enjoy special status, why only JK facing onslaught, asks Omar

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and vice president National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah on Friday criticised Finance Minister of India Arun Jaitley for speaking against the special status of the state being impediment in development.
He said: “North East, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar or Lakshadweep have special status and their own identity under the same Indian constitution as well,” Abdullah said.
He was addressing a presser in Srinagar flanked by party’s provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief spokesman Aga Ruhulla, Tanvir Sadiq and Imran Nabi Dar. “Why is it always that Jammu and Kashmir has to face the onslaught of these rightwing parties?” Abdullah questioned. Abdullah trained guns against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)said that the special status of the state guaranteed under Article 35A of the constitution.
“It has been targetted right from the beginning but after the rightwing BJP come to power the threat of abrogation has only increased after BJP came into power,” he said. “It’s wrong notion that special status is only for Valley Muslims.” The special status, Abdullah said is beneficial for Kargil, Leh as well. “It is gun, not special status that has ruined the state,” he said.