Political storm in J&K over Dulat’s claim on Abdullah’s support for Article 370 abrogation

Srinagar: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after former RAW chief A S Dulat claimed that National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre in August 2019.

The claim appears in Dulat’s upcoming book, published by Juggernaut, where he quotes Abdullah as saying, “We would have helped (pass the proposal). Why were we not taken into confidence?” This sharply contrasts with Abdullah’s consistent public criticism of the move, which he has called a “betrayal” of Kashmiris.

Dulat’s remarks have sparked backlash across the political spectrum in the Union Territory (UT), putting the NC on the defensive and prompting accusations of hypocrisy from opposition leaders.

In a swift rebuttal, an angry Abdullah dismissed the claim as a “cheap stunt” to promote the book. “Both I and Omar (Abdullah) were under arrest when Article 370 was revoked. Our opposition to the move was well-known,” he told reporters.

He called Dulat’s claim that the NC planned to support the abrogation “a figment of the imagination” and denied any efforts to align with the BJP. “I would never patch up with a party that is out to destroy mine,” he said.

Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti added fuel to the fire, accusing Abdullah of choosing to stay in Kashmir rather than attend Parliament during the critical moment.

“Dulat sahab, an ardent Abdullah supporter, has shared how Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s illegal move of abrogating Article 370. There were already doubts about what transpired between the Abdullahs & PM days before J&K’s special status was revoked. With this it’s clear that Farooq sahab chose to stay in Kashmir instead of the Parliament to help normalise gutting of J&K’s constitution & subsequent betrayal,” she posted on X.

Peoples Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone also weighed in, calling the revelation “very credible” given Dulat’s closeness to Abdullah. “Dulat sahib is the closest ally and friend of Farooq sahib. Virtually his alter ego. Incidentally, Dulat sahib is the famed Uncle of the infamous Uncles and Aunties Brigade of Delhi,” Lone posted on X.

He said that the NC will deny it. “Call it yet another conspiracy against NC. They have perfected playing the victim card. Uncle and Aunties will take cognisance of my tweet and other such tweets and implore upon BJP to teach such tweeters a lesson. Out here, their MLAs will privately visit LOP Sunil Sharma and tell him that they are brothers separated at the Kumbh Mela. That the theatre they enact in Assembly and outside Assembly is in national interest,” he added.

The allegations have reignited tensions around the 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and sparked renewed scrutiny of the region’s political leadership during that period.