Jammu: National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its portrayal of Jammu and Kashmir as “new and prosperous” following the revocation of Article 370, arguing that the reality on the ground tells a different story.

According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at a rally in Nagri, Kathua district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah questioned the BJP’s narrative. “I am compelled to ask what the people of Kashmir have got in the past five years. They are speaking about ‘naya (new)’ and ‘khushhal (prosperous)’ Jammu and Kashmir (post Article 370 abrogation) but the situation on the ground is completely opposite and that is why they could not hold assembly elections till date because of the fear of defeat,” he stated.

Abdullah also responded to Indian Minister G Kishan Reddy’s announcement that assembly elections would be held in September, pointing out that the move was mandated by the Supreme Court by a September 30 deadline, not a voluntary action by the BJP. He criticized the BJP for failing to fulfill the promises it made during the constitutional changes five years ago.