Sajad Lone defends decision of seeking support from Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Apr 23:  Peoples Conference (PC) President Sajad Gani Lone today defended his decision to seek support from Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency.

Addressing media persons in Srinagar, Sajad Lone also said that Farooq Abdullah should not sermonise others regarding Islam and should rather introspect in his own life.

"Until today, I have never crossed the limits of decency. I have never launched a personal attack. But both of them (Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah) have become habitual of launching personal attacks on others," Sajad Lone told reporters.

Earlier, Dr Farooq Abdullah while responding to the pre-poll alliance of PC and Apni Party in north Kashmir for LS polls said that Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sajad Lone and Altaf Bukhari should retrospect whom they stand for.

"They should realise what is the attitude of those (BJP) with whom they are standing. May Allah  show them the right path," he said.

Meanwhile, Sajad Lone while sharply reacting to the statement said that Dr Farooq Abdullah has started a new story about Islam and Muslims.

He said let any senior scholar decide who is a perfect Muslim and who is not. "Let them not preach Islam to me. They are accusing me of being associated with a party (BJP) but they themselves were silent when the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 and about 2000 Muslims were killed. They were sitting with the BJP and Islam did not come to their minds at that point of time," Lone told reporters.

He said two parties-BJP and Shiv Sena played a role when Babri Masjid was demolished and Omar Abdullah was a Foreign Minister in BJP.

"They are bringing Shiv Sena today, allying with them. Are they friends of Muslims? On what grounds they (NC) accuse us," he said.

Sajad Lone said that he can bet his life saying that Farooq Abdullah has been sent for polarising issues and is working for that.

"They themselves commit sins and point fingers at others. It is so simple, A Muslim is either a complete Muslim or he is not a Muslim. You can't be 70 or 80 percent Muslim. Before preaching to me, he (Abdullah) should introspect," he said.

Sajad Lone said he would have not reacted like this but he said Farioq Abdullah crosses the line every time.

"Now, if I had not reacted today, it would be assumed that I am not a Muslim. The best thing for them (NC) would be to shut up now because the more they discuss Islam, the more we will counter them," he said.

Sajad Lone said he was "proud Muslim," and respects all religions.

When asked why he sought support from Altaf Bukhari in the election, he responded by saying that Altaf Bukhari was his friend, brother, and a fellow Muslim. "I did not seek favour from Shiv Sena at all," he said.