Former RAW Chief's Book Claims Farooq Abdullah Privately Supported Article 370 Abrogation; Sajjad Lone and Iltija Mufti Raise Sharp Questions.
Article 370 Abrogation Controversy: Former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah is once again in the headlines. This time, the reason is former RAW chief A.S. Dulat's new book, “The Chief Minister and the Spy,” which claims that Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370.
This revelation has heated up the political climate in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition leaders Sajjad Lone and Iltija Mufti have raised b questions about Abdullah's stance.
Sajjad Lone Says, "I'm Not Surprised"
People's Conference leader Sajjad Lone posted on X, saying,
“It's no secret that Farooq Abdullah met the Prime Minister on August 4, 2019. Mr. Dulat's claim is quite credible, as he has been close to Abdullah.”
He sarcastically added about the National Conference (NC),
“Of course, the NC will deny this and once again portray themselves as victims. Playing the victim card is their old habit.”
Iltija Mufti's Sharp Attack
Mahbooba Mufti's daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti stated that Farooq Abdullah, by staying in Kashmir at that time, helped to 'normalize' Delhi's decision. She wrote,
"This revelation makes it clear that he considered staying in Kashmir more important than being the voice of the people in Parliament."
What Does the Book Claim?
Former RAW chief A.S. Dulat's book, “The Chief Minister and the Spy,” mentions that Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370. This is believed to be just before the events of August 5, 2019, when the central government revoked Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The government stated at the time that Jammu and Kashmir would be granted full statehood in the future. Currently, it is administered as a Union Territory.
