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Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday alleged that Union home minister Amit Shah's recent Kashmir visit amid the Lok Sabha elections was to help candidates from the BJP's “proxy” parties in the ongoing national polls.
Abdullah, who is contesting from Baramulla, told reporters in Gurez that while the BJP has not fielded its own candidates, its “B,” “C,” and “D” teams, symbolized by the bucket, apple, cricket bat, and ink-pot, have been working on its directions.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) vice-president was referring to the election symbols of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), People's Conference, Apni Party, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), respectively.
Abdullah claimed that these four parties had come together on the BJP-led Centre's directions to “attack” his party.
He pointed to the recent declaration of support for jailed ex-MLA Engineer Rashid by DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad as an indication of the BJP's involvement.
Abdullah stated that Azad would not have made such a decision without the permission of the Prime Minister or the home minister, suggesting that the parties were colluding to target the National Conference.
Rashid, who is lodged in Tihar jail, has filed his nomination from the Baramulla parliamentary constituency, which is also being contested by Abdullah.
Voting for Baramulla will be held on May 20, in the fifth leg of the seven-phase elections.
Meanwhile, Abdullah also called for a “relationship of friendship” with Pakistan, expressing hope that the new governments in both countries would create an atmosphere conducive to improving bilateral relations.
Source: Amit Shah visited Kashmir to help candidates from BJP's ‘proxy' parties: Omar Abdullah