A war of words broke out between Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah after media reports claimed that the former said that the latter met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at night. The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) president came out in clarification of his purported remarks in the media and said that he never made such a claim and only quoted his “sources in Delhi” that the National Conference chief “tries to meet the central leadership” at night.
“I never claimed that he (Farooq Abdullah) met him (PM Modi). I said that through sources in Delhi, it has come to be known that he tries to meet central leadership that too only at night. I never said that he met or got an appointment,” Azad said.
Farooq Abdullah reacts
Lashing out at Azad for his purported remarks, Abdullah said that he would meet the Prime Minister or the Home Minister during the day if he has to meet them and asked the DPAP chief the reason behind “defaming” him.
“If I have to meet PM Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah, I will meet them during the day, why should I meet them at night?...what is the reason that he has thought of defaming Farooq Abdullah? When no one wanted to give him Rajya Sabha seat, I was the one who gave him Rajya Sabha seat... but today he is saying all this. He should tell the names of his agents who are sitting at the residence of the PM and Union Home Minister. He should tell people so that they can understand the truth...'' he said.
Omar Abdullah reacts sharply
Reacting sharply to Azad's claims that he and Farooq Abdullah were aware of the abrogation of Article 370 from Kashmir in 2019, Omar Abdullah said that they were "detained for more than eight months" and Azad was free. He took a jibe at Azad and said that the people will decide who is "ghulam" and who is "azad".
"Wah bhai wah Ghulam Nabi Azad, so much bile today. Where is the Ghulam that was begging us for Rajya Sabha seats in J&K as recently as 2015? “Abdullahs knew about 370” yet we were detained for more than 8 months including under PSA & you were free, the only ex CM in J&K free after 5th Aug. “Abdullahs meet secretly” yet my father is the one thrown out of his Govt house when he wasn’t MP & you are allowed to keep your ministerial bungalow? “Abdullahs say one thing in Kashmir & another in Delhi” yet PM cries for you in Rajya Sabha & criticises us in every speech. Let’s not forget the Padma award for which you agreed to leave Congress & help BJP in Chenab valley. Who is azad & who is ghulam, time will tell & people will decide," Omar Abdullah said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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