Will move SC over Art 35A if need arises, says Omar

JAMMU

National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah on Sunday observed that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led state government cannot be trusted on the crucial and sensitive issue to abrogate Article 35 A, an article that relates to identity, dignity and existence of people of the state.

Omar said that the NC is in touch with top legal luminaries of the country with a view to engage a counsel and contest Article 35A in the Supreme Court as a private party.

“We won’t let Article 35A to go at the strength and commitment of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” Omar asserted while addressing NC rally at Poonch, adding that the machinations of the BJP to repeal this provision through judicial process will not be allowed to succeed.

Referring to weak defence being put up by the PDP-BJP government in its counter in the apex court, Omar said both the coalition partners were using Article 35A as per their specific agendas.

“While the BJP is playing to galleries across the country by whipping up passions on this issue, the PDP is trying to involve the defenders of Article 35A by pretending to be serious in safeguarding this constitutional guarantee,” he said.

“We just can’t trust the PDP, as lust for remaining glued to power may make CM Mehbooba Mufti to give up and compromise

with the interests of the people,” he added.

He elaborated that NC is in talks with best available lawyers to defend the case as a private party, representing the people.

Omar said that the PDP and

BJP were using Article 35A as a double-edged weapon against the people of J&K; first to erode the special status of the state and second to divert the attention of the people from governance deficit and their failure on all fronts.