Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah believes the PAGD and the BJP should fight elections together

*Paromita Das

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the PAGD (Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration) should fight elections together to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay.

PAGD is a coalition of six political parties, including the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party.

In an interview with the media in Srinagar, Omar stated that in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PAGD should fight together to keep the BJP and its teams at bay.

“It’s just my opinion. And, if you ask me, I believe PAGD should campaign together in the upcoming elections to keep the BJP and its A & B teams at bay. However, the final decision rests with the PAGD.”
While criticizing the BJP, he claimed that Muslims were being targeted. He claimed that they are not permitted to use loudspeakers in mosques; that they are not permitted to sell halal meat; that they are not permitted to wear hijab, and so on.

He questioned why only Muslims are being targeted if they do not object to other people’s religions or lifestyles.

Omar also mentioned the three-week-long power outages that have been plaguing Kashmir.

“It appears that we are purposefully irritated. I’m curious why power is kept on during the rest of the day and night but not during Sehri and Iftar.”
“When you wake up to have Sehri, there is no electricity, and the same is true for Iftar. There is no electricity during Taraweeh prayers, and when the prayers are finished, electricity is restored; this appears to be a deliberate attempt to disturb the people of Kashmir “he stated.