Union Minister Defends Democratic Participation of Separatists in J&K Elections

Union Minister Jitendra Singh supports separatists participating in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, arguing that those choosing to join the national mainstream should not be excluded from democratic opportunities. He dismissed the National Conference and Congress alliance as a power-driven alliance and criticized Omar Abdullah’s statements regarding the BJP and Article 370.

With some separatists contesting in Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday declared that individuals joining the national mainstream should not be deprived of democratic opportunities.

He criticized the National Conference and Congress alliance as being solely for power, highlighting its lack of national interest. Singh said, "If any separatist joins the national mainstream by contesting elections, they should not be deprived of this opportunity. Sheikh Abdullah, after 12 years in prison, did the same and became the chief minister."

Regarding former chief minister Omar Abdullah's claims that the BJP had made deals with regional parties and independence candidates, Singh rebuffed the statement, asserting the BJP's capability to form the government without proxies.

(With inputs from agencies.)