Srinagar, Mar 29 (KNS): Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference (NC) Vice president Omar Abdullah on Friday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sabotaged the conduct of assembly elections in the State.

As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, Omar who was speaking to media persons at a hotel here in Srinagar said that the presence of guns in Jammu and Kashmir has caused damage to the State while as the special status has always protected it.

NC vice president who was accompanied by Nasir Aslam Wani, Tanvir Sadiq, Aga Ruhullah and Imran Nabi Dar was reacting to a statement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wherein he had stated that special status has led to poverty in JK.

However, Omar said that it was special status that protected the State always but the presence of guns here has caused damage to Jammu and Kashmir. He added that to some extent Pakistan was responsible for the militancy in Kashmir but central government and the state also created such situation that paved way for militancy here.

He also said that many of the States in India are enjoying the special status like Jammu and Kashmir but one fails to understand that why only JK is being targeted, adding that even as the NC is out of power but it will leave no stone unturned to safeguard the special status of JK.

Omar added that a wrong perception is being made that special status is only for Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir but Jammu and Ladakh have also been saved due to Article 35A.

Former chief minister added that NC is preparing the documents and will knock the doors of Supreme Court soon to save the Article 370 and Article 35A. “I have talked to lawyers and the papers are being made in this regard. We don’t to put a weak case in the court. We will leave no stone unturned to protect the constitutions,” he said

He said that the erstwhile PDP-BJP government also didn’t pursue the case of Article 370 and 35A in a proper way to save their chair.

NC Vice president also said Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was under threat from last five years especially since 2015 when the BJP came into power it was increased, adding that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government would have taken steps towards development then the situation would have been quite different on ground.

Omar further stated that Jammu and Kashmir was being considered as one among the fastest growing states before 90’s as every kind of hotels and industries were being found in JK then but all that was shut because of militancy.

“The accession was made on certain grounds and there was not mentioned that special status to JK was temporary or time bound. I am Sorry if it will be debated that the questions will be raised over the accession between JK and union of India,” he added.

He also said the upcoming parliamentary and assembly elections in JK are very much important for the safeguard of state’s special status, adding that people must cast their votes against BJP and its proxies to ensure the special status is not tampered. Omar added that NC has decided to foil attempts that will be made to attack special status and will take every step to safeguard the constitutions.

On the sidelines of the presser, Omar while talking to reporters said that there was no friendly contest between National Conference and Congress, saying that these two parties are fighting elections individually. “Both the parties have announced their candidates against each other barring few places,” he said. (KNS)