Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah has criticized the central government for inviting foreign diplomats to observe the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it unnecessary and questioning the need for external validation of India’s internal matters.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Omar Abdullah expressed confusion over the Centre’s decision, noting the inconsistency in the government’s stance. “I don’t know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here. When foreign governments comment, India says, ‘this is an internal matter,’ and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come and look at our elections,” he said, flanked by his father, NC president Farooq Abdullah.
Criticism of Government’s Actions in J&K
Omar Abdullah also took the opportunity to criticize the Centre for its handling of Jammu and Kashmir after the region’s statehood was revoked in August 2019. He emphasized that the participation of voters in the ongoing elections is a testament to the resilience of the people, despite what he described as the government’s efforts to humiliate and harass them.
“This participation is in spite of everything that the government of India did. They have humiliated people, detained them, and imposed a prolonged internet blockade. Yet, people are still coming out to vote,” Abdullah remarked.
Foreign Diplomats’ Visit to J&K
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took a delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway, and Singapore, to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to witness phase 2 of the assembly elections. The visit is part of an effort by the government to showcase the democratic process in the union territory post-statehood revocation.
The BJP welcomed the visit, with Sunil Sethi, chief spokesperson of J&K BJP, defending the decision. “We are only opposed to outside interference of any kind,” he said, adding that the visit aimed to highlight the free, fair, and transparent election process in the region.
