Ex-R&AW chief Dulat claims Farooq privately backed Article 370 abrogation, he denies
In his recently published book, “The Chief Minister and the Spy”, former R&AW chief AS Dulat has made a surprising claim that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370. However, Abdullah has denied the allegations, terming them as a “figment of imagination” of the author.
Dulat, who is known for his close ties with Abdullah, claims that the National Conference (NC) leader had suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill. The article, which has been abrogated by the Central government, granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In his book, Dulat writes that he met Abdullah several times during the run-up to the abrogation of Article 370 and that the NC leader had expressed his support for the move. Dulat claims that Abdullah had told him that the NC would not oppose the Bill if it were to be put to vote in the Lok Sabha.
However, Abdullah has vehemently denied these claims, saying that they are a product of Dulat’s imagination. In a statement, Abdullah said, “I have read the book and I must say that the author, who claims to be my friend, has got it all wrong. The story he has narrated is a figment of his imagination and has no basis in reality.”
Abdullah further added that the NC had always maintained that Article 370 was a constitutional provision and that the party had never supported its abrogation. He also said that the party had always believed that the Centre and the state government should work together to resolve the issues faced by the state.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim has sparked off a heated debate in the political circles, with many questioning the authenticity of the R&AW chief’s account. Some have pointed out that Dulat’s claim is at odds with Abdullah’s public stance on the issue, and that it is unlikely that the NC leader would have privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 without making his views public.
Others have raised questions about the timing of Dulat’s claim, with some suggesting that it may be a bid to gain publicity for his book. Dulat has been known for his candid views on various political issues, and his book is expected to be a bestseller.
It is worth noting that Dulat’s claim is not the first time that the R&AW chief has made a controversial statement about a political leader. In the past, Dulat has made similar claims about other leaders, and his views have often been seen as provocative and controversial.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim that Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 highlights the complex and often contentious nature of politics in Jammu and Kashmir. While Dulat’s claim may have sparked off a heated debate, it is ultimately up to the people of the state to decide who is telling the truth and who is not.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
