Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah alleged on Sunday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to intimidate Hindu voters during their Assembly election campaign in the Jammu region.
BJP intimidating Hindus only
"The BJP is trying to intimidate Hindus only. They assumed Hindus would vote in their favour. But Hindus are not the same now... BJP first tried to exploit the Ram issue and now they're trying to intimidate Hindus," Farooq told media persons in Budgam district in central Kashmir.
Farooq said that "BJP is trying to defame NC, but we will emerge victorious in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and change the lives of the people".
Congress-NC alliance
When asked about Home Minister Amit Shah's comment that the alliance between Congress and National Conference is temporary, Farooq responded, "Amit Shah is speaking excessively, and I want to tell him that the India they're trying to project... we're against that. India belongs to everyone, all who live here."
“But, God willing they won’t succeed. Our efforts will pave the way to serve for the betterment of our people. The Home Minister can keep saying as much about us as he wants but I want to tell him that we are against that Bharat, which they want to create. Bharat belongs to all — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists.
"We're not infiltrators, nor are we snatchers of Mangalsutra, nor are we cow distributors," Farooq added. "Muslims who fought for India's independence and sacrificed their lives are equally Indian."
BJP claims
Regarding the BJP claim that terrorism will return if an NC-Congress government is formed, Farooq said, "I want to ask them, did terrorism stop when Article 370 was abrogated? Terrorism still exists, and BJP is responsible for it."
On the statehood issue, Farooq said, "I want to tell them that the day will come when Statehood will be fully restored to Jammu and Kashmir." (with Agency inputs)
