2024 was prize for services rendered in 2019: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Apr 16: Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone Wednesday said that the 2024 Legislative Assembly elections win of the National Conference (NC) was the prize given by New Delhi to the party for the services it rendered in 2019.

In a strongly-worded post on X, Lone said the claim of former RAW chief Amar Singh Dulat that National Conference (NC) President and former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, privately supported the abrogation of Article 370 was “very credible” given Dulat’s proximity to the Abdullahs.

“Dullat Sahab is the closest ally and friend of Farooq Sahab. Virtually his alter ego,” Lone posted.

He said that the NC would inevitably reject the claim, calling it “yet another conspiracy against them,” but insisted that the party’s history of playing the “victim card” was well known.

“Out here, their MLAs will privately visit Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and tell him that they are brothers separated at the Kumbh Mela and that the theatre they enact in the Legislative Assembly and outside the assembly is in the national interest,” Lone said.

Reflecting on the closed-door meeting of the NC leaders led by Farooq Abdullah with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two days ahead of the abrogation of Article 370, he posted: “I can visualise Farooq Sahab saying – Humey roney deejiye, Aap apna kaam karein, Hum aap kay saath hain. It now seems 2024 was a prize for services rendered in 2019. Of course, in national interest.”