National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday accused prime minister Narendra Modi of trying to create a fear psychosis among Hindus to stay in power and said he has stopped talking about the issues of the common people who drove him to this.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir asked people to stay away from 鈥榯his divide and rule policy鈥�, the Hindu reported.
Speaking at the city鈥檚 Khanyar area here in support of NC鈥檚 Lok Sabha poll candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Abdullah said, 鈥楳odi is trying to create fear among Hindus and to create fear, he tells them that your mangalsutras will be taken away and sold to give money to Muslims. Are we such bad people that we will take away mangalsutras from our mothers and sisters?
The MP from Srinagar said that the prime minister is telling Hindus that if the opposition bloc INDIA comes to power after the ongoing polls, their savings will be taxed and if they have two houses, one will be taken away and given to Muslims.
鈥楬e creates hatred among Hindus against Muslims and then he says that Muslims produce more children. God gives children. Many (people) do not have (children). What does he know about children if he doesn鈥檛 have any? He didn鈥檛 even appreciate his wife, how could he have appreciated his children? Abdullah asked the gathering.
He accused the prime minister of 鈥榗reating hatred鈥� in the country and said 鈥榳e are against it.鈥�
鈥榃e pray to God to bring him (Modi) down. He is lying,鈥� Abdullah said.
The veteran leader, who is not contesting the Lok Sabha polls due to his health problems, said Modi has stopped talking about the issues of the common people that propelled him to the prime minister鈥檚 post in 2014.
鈥榃hen he came to power in 2014, he raised the issue of price of LPG cylinders. The price of a domestic gas cylinder at that time was Rs 400. He raised the issue of price hike and unemployment.
鈥楾en years have passed and what is the price of a gas cylinder now? It is Rs 1,100. The prices of diesel have increased, the prices of cooking oil have increased, the prices of vegetables, mutton, etc. have increased. He (Modi) has installed smart meters that work even when there is no electricity,鈥� Abdullah said.
He asked people to remain cautious and stay away from 鈥榯his divide and rule鈥� policy.
Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister said all top officials in the Union Territory are outsiders.
鈥榃hether it is SSPs (senior superintendents of police), DCs (deputy commissioners) or any other bureaucrats 鈥� they all come from outside. We have to fight this. We have to show them (BJP-led Centre) that we do not accept the decisions of August 5, 2019,鈥� he said.
On August 5, 2019, the Center abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that had granted special rights to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories.
Abdullah also asked voters to check the electronic voting machines while exercising their voting rights.
鈥業f you vote, make sure you check the EVMs. See if the light comes on so that your voice is not lost. Also check the VVPATs. Government agents will try to bribe you, but you must remain careful and honest,鈥� he said.
