Srinagar, Jun 16 (KNS): Former National Conference MP Abdul Rashid Shaheen on Tuesday blamed party president Dr Farooq Abdullah for the downfall of the party, alleging that his remarks against senior leaders in the 1980s caused deep resentment.
Shaheen told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that after taking over as Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah had pointed to the ministerial council of his father and party founder Sheikh Abdullah and said, "All these are thieves, I want to drown them in the pond."
"This was a very big insult. Those who had made sacrifices to keep Sheikh Sahib's stand alive after 1953, who had endured troubles and destroyed their family and property, were called thieves," Shaheen said.
He claimed senior leader Bhuwan Tiku broke down in tears, asking, "Which theft did we do? What trouble did we cause to Sheikh Sahib?"
However, he acknowledged that Dr Abdullah remained a prominent leader and said, "Now we don't have a leader greater than him."
Shaheen also lauded the two-and-a-half-year tenure of former Chief Minister Ghulam Ahmad Shah, calling it the "best administration" the state ever had.
Although he admitted that riots occurred during that period, Shaheen said Shah ensured no loss of life. "A spiritual person had told Shah that not a single person should die. He was a five-time Namazi and a law-abiding person," he said.
Shaheen claimed that during Indira Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister, she was also upset with Dr Abdullah and wanted to unseat him, prompting a section of the NC to back Shah to save the situation.
"Unfortunately, the National Conference started shaking from then. Our destruction began in the beginning with the passing of Sheikh Sahib," he added. (KNS)