Jammu, Feb 4 (PTI) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday questioned the central government\u2019s claims that terrorism has been eradicated in Jammu and Kashmir and said if militancy has ended, incidents like the Kulgam terror attack should not happen.<\/p>\n
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Abdullah also criticised those claiming victory in the Delhi elections, emphasising that the decision lies with the country\u2019s people, not with him or his colleague Sakina Itoo.<\/p>\n
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Referring to the terror attack in Kulgam on Monday that left an ex-serviceman dead and two women including his wife injured, the former J-K chief minister questioned the government\u2019s assertion of having eradicated militancy.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAsk those who claim that militancy has ended. If incidents like this happen, ask them where their claim has gone. Everyday, they make statements in Parliament, outside Parliament, on mountains and everywhere that militancy has ended.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf militancy has ended, incidents like this should not happen,\u201d Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.<\/p>\n
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Abdullah responded to a range of questions on political and social issues, including the Delhi elections, the INDIA bloc, the restoration of statehood and concerns regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).<\/p>\n
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Regarding the upcoming Delhi assembly elections and the BJP\u2019s claims of victory, Abdullah wanted all to wait for elections to be held on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThey (BJP) also said they would come (to power in J&K). They said this way or that way, there will be a hung assembly (in J&K).<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhere have their claims gone today? They seem to have been silenced now. The decision is made by the people of this country, not by Farooq Abdullah or Sakina Itoo,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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Regarding chances of the BJP benefitting from INDIA bloc partners such as the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) contesting separately in Delhi, Abdullah dismissed speculations about its impact on the alliance, stating, \u201cIf I were God or clairvoyant (antaryami), I could predict this. But I am a simple man.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhat do I know about who will come and who will not come? I did not even know if we would come here (in J&K),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Abdullah expressed confidence in the INDIA bloc, stating that it was progressing with God\u2019s blessings and would continue moving forward despite opposition.<\/p>\n
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Asked if he would take the initiative to unite alliance partners at the national level, Abdullah downplayed his role, saying, \u201cI don\u2019t have that capacity, and I am not that person. We all know that together, we can do something better for this country. Divided, we cannot achieve anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
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On the restoration of J-K\u2019s statehood, Abdullah reiterated his stance and expressed hope that it would be restored.<\/p>\n
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\u201cGod willing, it will be restored. It may take some time but it will definitely happen. If I were a clairvoyant, I would say it will happen now but I am not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Responding to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal\u2019s concerns about EVMs, Abdullah shifted focus to media freedom, questioning the ability of the press to critique the central government.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYou ask the questions you like. How many of our answers do you publish?<\/p>\n
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\u201cCan you criticise the central government? You only criticise the opposition. You and your newspaper will be destroyed. You will end up in jail. You keep buttering them up\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n
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Regarding the possibility of a cancer vaccine similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, Abdullah expressed scepticism about the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. He claimed that the Covid-19 vaccine was administered without any trial.<\/p>\n
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\u201cToday, we are seeing its results. Many young people are dying of heart attacks and other issues, and it is being said the vaccine is responsible. We cannot say anything until it is specifically determined whether it is responsible or not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Abdullah strongly advocated the development of a cancer vaccine, emphasising the need for a thorough research. \u201cIf you want to develop a vaccine for cancer, research should be conducted. Who says a vaccine should not be developed?<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut it should not be rushed like the COVID vaccines were. I have also taken many vaccines,\u201d he said.(PTI)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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