Srinagar, Oct 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused the Congress of being a “puppet” of the ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that its decisions are dictated from the “kitchen of Abdullahs.” The remarks came after Congress announced its support for the NC ahead of the byelections for the four Rajya Sabha seats.
BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma told reporters, “The Congress does only what they (Abdullahs) decide. Its office-bearers here will do only what is decided in Abdullahs’ kitchen, for which approval comes from Delhi.” Sharma added that Congress is not an independent party, and its support for NC was “expected.”
Turning to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sharma said the joint contest by PDP and NC shows that “both these families will not allow a common man to enter politics and power.” He accused the two families of controlling politics in Kashmir and coming together whenever they feel “in danger,” calling their strategy “clever.”
Asked whether any abstentions in the Rajya Sabha voting could benefit BJP, Sharma avoided specifics, saying, “You decide, you analyse who will benefit. We will achieve our aim.”
The Congress, in a statement on Thursday, defended its decision, saying it had chosen to support NC and “keep all differences on the back burner at this hour of paramount challenges.” The party added that its move was aimed at standing united against what it calls the BJP agenda of atrocities and subjugation. (Agencies)
