‘Farooq’s remarks a poll stunt’

Hurriyat leaders slam NC chief’s statement about ‘sacrifice’ by J&K youth

Making a point: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah addressing party workers at a meeting in Srinagar on Friday. PTI

Making light of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah’s statement about the ‘sacrifice’ by youth in Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday called it a political gimmick, while the separatists termed it “non-serious”.

“Dr. Abdullah is trying to befool people ahead of parliamentary byelections in Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies and proposed elections for Panchayats,” said BJP State general secretary Ashok Koul.

Dr. Abdullah had on Friday said that the youth were sacrificing their lives for “State’s freedom and peoples’ rights”.

“In the old age, Dr. Abdullah has virtually lost balance of mind,” said Mr. Koul.

Describing Dr. Abdullah as “chameleon”, Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar said, “The statement is aimed to befool the people of Kashmir. It is only an election stunt and nothing else. He has given various statements against the militants in the past but has now changed his language. We don’t take his statements seriously.”

Mr. Akbar said, “The NC can go to any extent because of the lust of power.”

Meanwhile, CPI (M) leader and MLA Yousuf Tarigami appealed to all parties to unite for the Kashmir issue.