NC was desperate to have alliance with BJP in 2014; latter refused it: Rana

Jammu, Sep 03: Senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party Devender Rana Tuesday went full-throttle to deflate, what he said, “craftily built narrative of National Conference that all political parties of Kashmir, except it (NC), were in cahoots with BJP to serve their political ends, in ensuing Assembly polls.”

“But let me present the truth in its pristine form, it was actually the National Conference, which was desperate to have an alliance with the BJP in 2014. Contrary to haughty claims of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that he or his party had nothing to do with the BJP; ironically it was him (Omar) who had offered unconditional support to BJP in 2014 but much to his (Omar’s) embarrassment, the latter (BJP) refused all his offers to form the coalition government in J&K,” Rana stated, while addressing a press conference here.

Rana, who joined BJP after quitting National Conference, also sharply targetted it (NC) for “working in collusion with the Congress to end reservation in J&K.” “We dare them – as long as BJP is there, we will never allow them to scrap reservation to the deprived, under-privileged sections of J&K,” he challenged.

With regard to Omar’s allegations that senior BJP leader Ram Madhav was here in J&K to stitch an alliance with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) again, like he did in 2014, Rana mocked, “Omar not only had offered unconditional support but also agreed for full term BJP Chief Minister then.”

“In 2014, Omar met senior most leaders of the BJP and RSS at Delhi. Today Omar is saying that all political parties of Kashmir are part of BJP and are close to it whereas the reality is completely opposite. Now, he is saying that Ram Madhav is close to PDP but the truth is that he (Omar) repeatedly approached top BJP and RSS leaders for forming a government in J&K,” Rana stated.

He further reminded Omar that he was the Union Minister in Vajpayee government but in present circumstances he was saying that NC had nothing to do with BJP.

Rana said, “In 2014, when NC had 15 MLAs, Omar went to Delhi and met senior most leaders of the BJP including Home Minister Amit Shah and the then J&K Incharge, Ram Madhav and also knocked the doors of RSS leaders and offered unconditional support to the BJP for forming government in J&K.”

“I also accompanied Omar that time and he (Omar) offered on the table unconditional support to the BJP for forming the government in J&K and also extended unconditional support for a full term Chief Minister of the BJP in J&K,” Rana said.

He said that the BJP, however, rejected the proposal of Omar Abdullah. Rana further said that after this rejection by the BJP, Omar repeatedly kept on approaching the BJP top leadership and also knocked the doors of RSS for government formation in J&K.

“NC wanted to be in power in J&K at any cost,” BJP leader said, while adding that after the death of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Omar Abdullah again started approaching top BJP and RSS leader at Delhi offering unconditional support to the BJP for government formation in J&K and also agreeing for a full term BJP Chief Minister.

“Farooq Abdullah was at Katra at that time and told Omar Abdullah to meet BJP and RSS leaders at Delhi and offer unconditional support to BJP for forming a government in J&K. Dr Farooq at Katra had also announced that he was open to alliance,” Rana said, adding, “The BJP rejected NC’s offer at that time also”

“NC is just trying to build a narrative by saying that it (NC) has nothing to do with BJP. It is trying to mislead the people of Kashmir,” Rana said, adding, “rather than fooling people NC should draw a future roadmap for the betterment of people. It is conspiring against resurgent Kashmir as its interest lies in turbulent Kashmir.”

He also accused NC of plotting to push J&K to vortex of violence while talking about releasing jailed stone pelters which showed that it (NC) wanted unrest in J&K. “Have they forgotten 2009 and 2010? ” Rana questioned.

He also said that BJP would never allow NC to play with sentiments of Hindus as it mentioned in its manifesto to rename Shankaracharya as Takht-e-Suleman.