BJP raps Omar for J& K accession note

Chief minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that Jammu and Kashmir had entered into accession, and not merged, with the Union of India post- Independence set the J& K assembly on fire.

Raising the issue in the House on Thursday, the BJP and Panthers Party legislators branded the ruling National Conference ( NC)- Congress coalition as a “ Hurriyat Conference- sponsored government that should be dismissed for antinational remarks”. The Speaker tried to pacify the agitators and assured them that they would be given time to speak after the question hour. However, they alleged that the chief minister questioned the instrument of accession and termed the state as a “ terrorist- supported government”. Shouting “ Kashmir is an integral part of India” and “ Omar and ( Syed Ali Shah) Geelani are running the government together”, they ran to the Well of the House.

The Speaker ordered that they be marshaled out.

However, the legislators gave the marshals a tough time. In the melee, a Panthers Party member and three BJP members — Jugal Kishore, Sukhnandan and Lal Chand — were injured, BJP state president Ashok Khajuria claimed.

Khajuria said Abdullah’s statement amounted to saying Kashmir was not an integral part of India and was unfortunate. “ The CM needs to re- read the Constitution,” he added.

He said Abdullah was speaking the language of Geelani and his continuation in office was a security risk to the integrity of the country. “ The NC- Congress government is furthering the Hurriyat’s agenda. They are creating room for Islamic fundamentalism in the state,” Khajuria added.

The BJP will not participate in the proceedings of the House and will boycott the session in protest against the chief minister’s comments. “ The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has already boycotted the session seeking action against the death of 110 civilians in the past few months. If the BJP carries out its threat, the House will be without an Opposition.

However, the NC stood behind the chief minister.

“ Abdullah has quoted historical facts,” NC leader Dr Mustafa Kamal said.