Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah dismissed former RAW chief A.S. Dulat's claims that Abdullah secretly backed the removal of Article 370. He characterized the claim as a 'cheap stunt' designed to boost Dulat's upcoming book sales.
Abdullah suggested the motive behind Dulat's book, 'The Chief Minister and the Spy' (set for release on April 18), might be to gain access to power corridors or increase financial gain. Speaking to PTI, Abdullah speculated, 'Perhaps he (Dulat) hopes to forge new alliances.'
'Omar and I Were Under Detention'
Farooq Abdullah strongly objected to the idea that had the National Conference been involved, they would have assisted in passing the proposal to remove Article 370. The 87-year-old leader labeled this as the author's 'imagination.'
He clarified that during the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, both he and his son Omar Abdullah were detained for several months. 'We were detained because our opposition to the removal of Article 370 was known to all,' he said.
'Purely Author's Imagination'
He further recounted being the one who initiated uniting all major political forces in Jammu and Kashmir to form the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), aimed at safeguarding the state's special status.
Farooq Abdullah refuted Dulat’s claim that the National Conference was about to pass a resolution in the assembly regarding Article 370's removal. 'This is purely the author's imagination, who claims to be my friend,' he remarked.
'There Was No Assembly in 2018'
He questioned the idea that a proposal could pass in 2018 when there was no assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. 'Even if there was an assembly, I would never entertain such a proposal,' he noted.
He recalled securing a two-thirds majority in 1996 and passing a resolution for greater autonomy then. The claims in Dulat's book contradict his political stance.
'I Am No One’s Puppet'
Abdullah also denied frequently heeding Dulat's advice. 'I make my own decisions, and I am not a puppet in anyone's hands,' he reiterated. He dismissed the claim that his decision to join the 1996 elections was based on Dulat's advice. Abdullah said it was former U.S. ambassador Frank Wisner who encouraged him to contest the elections.
'Meeting With PM Modi Before Article 370 Revocation'
Abdullah recounted meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Omar Abdullah and MP Hasnain Masoodi before Article 370's revocation, where they inquired about increased military presence in Kashmir Valley, but Modi gave no response. 'Had we known, we would have raised the alarm immediately,' he stated.
He added, 'After Article 370's removal, I was not allowed in Parliament. I had to scale my wall to inform the press that I was under house arrest. My son was detained at Hari Nivas.'
'Worst Part: He Claims to be My Friend'
Farooq Abdullah expressed disappointment with Dulat's book, saying, 'The worst part is that he calls himself my friend. As the saying goes, 'A wound on the body heals, but the ache from a hurt heart stays for life.' The misleading claims for cheap publicity will linger forever.'
