A political storm has erupted following claims by former RAW Chief A.S. Dulat that National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370. The controversial assertion, detailed in Dulat’s upcoming memoir The Chief Minister and The Spy, has drawn sharp reactions from Abdullah and other political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dulat alleges that Abdullah, in private conversations, expressed willingness to assist the BJP-led government in implementing the constitutional move, provided the NC was taken into confidence. This claim contradicts Abdullah’s public stance, where he has consistently opposed the abrogation, calling it a betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reacting strongly, Abdullah dismissed the allegations as “a figment of imagination” and accused Dulat of fabricating stories to boost book sales. “We were in jail when Article 370 was abrogated,” Abdullah stated, referring to his detention under the Public Safety Act during the 2019 move. He emphasized that the NC’s opposition to the abrogation was well-known and unwavering.
The memoir has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the credibility of Dulat’s claims. NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq labeled the allegations as baseless, while PDP leader Iltija Mufti suggested the book confirmed long-standing suspicions about the NC’s behind-the-scenes rapport with the BJP.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the political dynamics surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and its impact on Jammu and Kashmir. As Dulat’s book nears its release, the revelations are expected to further polarize opinions on this contentious issue. Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.
