Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 13 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, said that the PDP's past alliance with the BJP is perhaps the reason the region lost Articles 370 and 35A, while defending the state government's performance.
Wani defended the UT government's performance and said the opposition should be patient in evaluating its work. He also emphasised that criticism alone will not restore statehood.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Nasir Aslam Wani said, "...As far as Rajya Sabha seats are concerned, our party has given a mandate to hold one seat for Congress...They will surely be discussing to finalise a candidate...4 seats are reserved with alliance...NC has always been criticised by the opposition, there's nothing new in it..."
"State government CM has more power than UT government, besides that Omar Abdullah is doing his best for J&K's development...PDP's alliance with BJP in the past is the reason perhaps we lost 370 and 35A...Opposition asking for our report card in just one year, they should have patience, they should have played a constructive role as an opposition...Criticising us will not get statehood back," he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on October 10 announced the names of three candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in the Union Territory.
The party named Chowdry Mohamad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, and Shammi Oberoi as its candidates, while the decision on the fourth seat is expected to be taken in the coming days.
When asked about India and Afghanistan relations, Wani highlighted the importance of strong regional ties and said India plays the role of a "big brother" in the subcontinent.
"...India plays the role of a big brother in the subcontinent...Not only Afghanistan, but we should also have better relations with other neighbouring countries. We should also consider reviving SAARC," he said.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, from October 9 to 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.