Secret parleys between PDP, Modi: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday alleged that opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) was secretly in contact with Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"Secret meetings of PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with close associates of BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani and his close contact with Narendra Modi have come to the fore which exposes the ideology of PDP," Omar Abdullah said.

He blamed the PDP of sailing in two boats to seek power, but claimed that their vessel would sink under the weight of its own falsehood.

Omar Abdullah reaffirmed that his party's association with the United Progressive Alliance is firm and will continue in future.

The chief minister said the hidden league between BJP, PDP and Panthers Party was also exposed earlier when they forged alliance during various elections of MLCs in the state.

Addressing a public gathering at Kellar in south Kashmir's Shopian district where he inaugurated a Rs.5.50 crore hospital, Omar Abdullah alleged that the PDP, since its inception, has been power-hungry.

"I have no personal enmity with the leadership of this party nor I am against their people but my difference with this party leadership is on principles and political issues," he said.

Omar Abdullah asserted that he would not ask the people to give him 40 assembly seats like Sayeed said to resolve the Kashmir issue within an year.

"I am time and again advocating for resolution of all political issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir in a process of dialogue so that peace and tranquility prevail in the state and in the sub-continent," he said.

Omar Abdullah added that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir had not taken up guns in their hands for seeking construction of roads, bridges, hospitals and other works but they did it for political reasons aimed at political purposes.

He said the Kashmir issue is a political one and requires to be addressed politically in a non-violent and peaceful manner.

The chief minister asked the separatists to be involved in the dialogue process for an amicable resolution of political issues.

"When you have observed that the gun has only brought destruction, misery and economic disaster in the state, there is only one option of engaging in dialogue and addressing the issue across the table," he said.

Omar Abdullah said that during the chief ministership of Farooq Abdullah, the process of dialogue was started which could not move forward.

The chief minister said he would facilitate the dialogue process between the central government and the separatists who could put forth their point of view regarding resolution of political issues.

He referred to lifting of restrictions on hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's rallies. The chief minister said the restrictions were lifted when the administration was confident the rallies would not hamper law and order.

"When there were restrictions on Geelani, opposition was raising hue and cry for lifting those. But when these have been lifted, the opposition is terming it a conspiracy of the ruling National Conference," he said.