BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh has launched a strong attack on National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, and the Congress party, holding them responsible for the “distress” in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a party workers’ meeting in Battal Ballian, Udhampur, Chugh emphasized that the BJP is contesting the elections based on Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the development of Jammu & Kashmir.
Chugh criticized the NC, PDP, and Congress for what he termed “boycott politics” and accused them of acting as “puppets of Pakistan.” He expressed confidence that these parties would face defeat in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, asserting, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are now aware of the truth behind these political entities and their practices.”
Earlier, during a public rally in Jammu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took aim at the NC-Congress alliance, accusing them of attempting to destabilize the region by seeking the release of separatists and terrorist sympathizers. Shah stated, “Three families have looted J&K. Terror will be back if NC and Congress come to power. Jammu has to decide their fate. If the BJP comes to power, we won’t allow terror to raise its head, and talks with Pakistan will not resume until peace is restored.”
In response, NC Chief Farooq Abdullah hit back, accusing the BJP of attempting to divide India and weaken national unity. “When they point one finger towards us, three fingers are raised towards them. These (BJP) are the biggest looters. They have ruined the country. They have tried to divide the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. They do not want to keep India united; they want to divide India,” Abdullah remarked.
The National Conference and the Congress party have formed an alliance to contest the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls together. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also extended its support to this alliance.
The first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir was completed on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent across 24 constituencies in seven districts, according to the Election Commission. The second and third phases of voting are scheduled for September 25 and October 5, respectively, with vote counting set to take place on October 8, coinciding with the counting of votes in Haryana.
