Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched a scathing attack on opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying its president Mehbooba Mufti does not deserve to become a member of Parliament again as she miserably failed to represent the state during her earlier term.
"PDP president Mehbooba Mufti could not summon the courage to talk on behalf of her people in Parliament during her tenure as an MP. When asked to get up and speak for her people, about their issues, aspirations and demands, all she had to say as an MP was her famous retort of 'Mein Kya Kahun Yaar' (What I will say friends)," Omar said.
Addressing a rally in support of party candidate from Anantnag parliamentary constituency Mehboob Beg at Wasoora in south Kashmir's Pulwama, the Chief Minister said Mehbooba's contempt for the people of the state is well demonstrated by the fact that she never chose to get up and represent the state in Parliament.
"Parliament's archives and records are proof enough to deduce that Mehbooba Mufti does not deserve to become a Member of Parliament," he said.
Mehbooba is contesting the elections from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat against the National Conference sitting MP, and poses a major challenge to Beg to retain the seat which he wrested from PDP in the last Lok Sabha elections.
Accusing PDP of hobnobbing with BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Omar who is also working president of National Conference, said the opposition party had "sold its soul" to the BJP and agreed to be a part of BJP's plan to dilute the state's special status in return for a promise of "political patronage" from Modi.
"PDP leaders have asked the people to refrain from taking Narendra Modi's name without attaching 'Ji' and 'Sahab' with his name. Mehbooba has also said that she saw a political reincarnation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Modi," Omar said.
Criticising the BJP prime ministerial nominee, Omar said, "This was the same Modi who accepted all caps and headgears of different communities with respect but refused to accept a cap presented to him by an imaam. This was the same Modi who has the blood stains of Gujarat on his conscience and has formally stated in the BJP manifesto that his party was 'committed' to abrogating Article 370."
"PDP's tactical fielding of candidates from Jammu and Udhampur parliamentary seats has proved beyond any doubt that they tried to dilute the anti-BJP vote in both seats to benefit BJP candidates. As unfortunate and shocking as this open exhibition of loyalty is, this is just another chapter in PDP's flip-flopping and opportunistic politics," he said.
The Chief Minister said the people of the state have a history of communal harmony and brotherhood and will not allow the BJP-PDP nexus to make any inroads into the state.
He said it was the National Conference that ensured that development is ushered in Pulwama by nominating G N Ratanpuri to the Rajya Sabha in addition to the Anantnag-Pulwama constituents electing Beg to the Lok Sabha.
"Both Members of Parliament have spoken up without any inhibitions or fear of reprisal for their people and have used their resources and funds to launch unprecedented development works in their areas," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}