Synopsis
In his book 'The Chief Minister and the Spy', former RAW chief A.S. Dulat claims that Dr. Farooq Abdullah privately supported the removal of Article 370, sparking political debate in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference dismisses these claims as fiction.Key Takeaways
- Dr. Farooq Abdullah allegedly supported Article 370's removal.
- Dulat's book has ignited political discussions in J&K.
- Contrasts exist between Farooq and Omar Abdullah's political strategies.
- The National Conference denies Dulat's claims.
- Political leaders in J&K are questioning the Abdullahs' actions.
Srinagar, April 16 (NationPress) The former chief of RAW, A.S. Dulat, has stirred controversy in his latest book, ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’, by claiming that former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah was covertly supportive of the removal of Article 370. This assertion has caused a stir within the ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which has labeled Dulat's statement as mere fiction. Nevertheless, political discussions have erupted in J&K regarding Dr. Abdullah's alleged stance as suggested by Dulat.
In his book, Dulat reflects on the meeting between Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly before the abrogation of Article 370, stating, “What happened during that meeting will remain unknown; Farooq has never disclosed it.”
Dulat characterizes Farooq Abdullah's house arrest in 2019 as “the saddest story in Kashmir”, as the NC leader questioned his detention during a dialogue with Dulat.
During their conversation regarding the abrogation, Farooq reportedly expressed his bitterness: ‘Kar lo agar karna hai (do it if you wish), but why the arrests?’, according to Dulat.
Dulat contrasts the approaches of Farooq and Omar Abdullah, both of whom have held the Chief Minister position in the former state, with Omar currently the first CM of the union territory. He notes that Farooq has always sought to align with Delhi's interests without compromising his own, while Omar actively seeks to please Delhi.
“Farooq has always aimed for a level playing field, and ultimately did things his way, which Delhi has failed to understand. For example, after being released from detention in March 2020, Delhi anticipated a prompt meeting with the Prime Minister, but Farooq delayed, citing the need for cataract surgeries, only arriving in July 2020.”
“This distinction between Farooq and Omar is significant. While Omar strives for a positive relationship with Delhi, he seeks to appease them. Farooq prioritizes what resonates with his constituents. Dulat adds that Delhi has “almost always” misjudged Farooq, recounting a 2014 call he received from IB headquarters.
“I was enjoying a vacation in Goa when I was asked if I had Doctor Sahib’s London phone number. I responded affirmatively but mentioned that I was at the beach, and when they expressed interest in his health, I told them it was too late.” This anecdote illustrates Farooq's stature as a leader, showing that despite attempts to disregard him, Delhi cannot overlook him,” Dulat elaborates.
“He embodies not just his party but the entire Valley in contemporary India,” the book states.
Sajad Gani Lone from the Peoples Conference (PC) expressed that he was not surprised by Dulat's claims since the Abdullahs met the Prime Minister on August 4, suggesting that Dulat’s revelation is credible given his close relationship with Farooq Abdullah.
Sajad noted on X, “Dulat sahib has revealed that Farooq Sahib privately supported the abrogation of Article 370. This insight from Dulat, who is a close ally of Farooq, makes it credible. The NC will deny this, labeling it as another conspiracy against them.”
He criticized the NC for playing the victim card and claimed that their MLAs privately express solidarity with opponents, while publicly enacting a different narrative.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti commented that Farooq Abdullah's choice to remain in Kashmir instead of attending Parliament reflects his complicity in the dismantling of J&K's constitution and his subsequent betrayal.
“Dulat sahab, a strong supporter of the Abdullahs, has revealed how Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s unlawful move of abrogating Article 370. There were already suspicions about the interactions between the Abdullahs and the PM days prior to the revocation of J&K's special status. This makes it evident that Farooq sahab opted to remain in Kashmir rather than in Parliament to assist in normalizing the erosion of J&K's constitution and the ensuing betrayal,” she stated on X.
