Beerwah (Budgam), November 20
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused the BJP of making multiple statements on Article 370.

Asking the BJP to clarify its stand on the issue, he said: “I wish there was one statement coming from the BJP on Article 370. Its leaders say one thing in Jammu and another in Kashmir. I hope when Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes here, we get to know exactly where they (BJP) stand.”

Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in Kishtwar district on Saturday. The NC president was addressing a rally at Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district after filing his nomination papers from the seat.

He denied any “Modi wave” in Kashmir. “It may be in Jammu and Ladakh, but not in Kashmir. Let him (Modi) come here (to Kashmir) and have a rally first.”

On whether the NC will have a post-poll alliance with the BJP, Omar said the NC was fighting elections to form its own government, not a coalition government. “We cannot shake hands with those who are not ready to accept the flag of J&K and want to bring it down. We cannot shake hands with those who want to abrogate Article 370,” he said.

“Respect our emotions and our flag if you want to earn a place in the hearts of J&K people. No amount of flood relief or money can win the hearts of Kashmiris,” he said while obliquely referring to the BJP, which he said had been harping on “Ek Nishaan and Ek Pradhan” slogans. On the Kashmir issue, Omar said it (Kashmir) was a political problem, which could only be solved through dialogue, not guns.