Responding to former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad”s assertions regarding his and his father”s alleged prior knowledge of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah vehemently refuted the claims. He highlighted that they were detained for an extensive period of eight months during that time, contrasting Azad”s freedom as the sole former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir who remained unrestrained.
Azad”s assertions were part of an interview with a TV channel on Monday, during which he also referenced rumours suggesting that the Abdullahs had voluntarily opted for house arrest in 2019 to evade taking a public stance on the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir”s special status.
Disputing Azad”s claims of clandestine meetings with the Prime Minister and Home Minister, Omar Abdullah highlighted the contrasting treatment his father received, being evicted from his government bungalow upon ceasing to be a Member of Parliament, while Azad retained his ministerial accommodation.
“’Abdullahs knew about 370’ yet we were detained for more than 8 months including under PSA & you were free, the only ex CM in J&K free after 5th Aug. ‘Abdullahs meet secretly’ yet my father is the one thrown out of his Govt house when he wasn’t MP & you are allowed to keep your ministerial bungalow?” the former J&K Chief Minister wrote on X.
Abdullah rebuked Azad”s remarks, questioning his integrity and political allegiance. He pointedly remarked, “Let’s not forget the Padma award for which you agreed to leave Congress & help BJP in Chenab valley. Who is azad & who is ghulam, time will tell & people will decide.”
The National Conference leader also reminded Azad how he allegedly sought Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. “Wah bhai wah Ghulam Nabi Azad, so much bile today. Where is the Ghulam that was begging us for Rajya Sabha seats in J&K as recently as 2015?”
Formerly associated with the Congress party and now leading the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Azad alleged that the Abdullahs exhibited a duplicity of stance. Drawing attention to Prime Minister Modi”s emotional farewell to Azad in Parliament, Omar Abdullah said, “Abdullahs say one thing in Kashmir & another in Delhi yet PM cries for you in Rajya Sabha & criticises us in every speech.”
Azad”s departure from the Congress in 2022, citing irreconcilable differences with Sonia Gandhi, led to the formation of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party in the same year.
Reacting to Omar Abdullah’s tweet, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “Did you seriously expect anything else from him? He is an absolute disgrace — actually, always has been!”
