Srinagar: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday broke his silence on former RAW chief A.S. Dulat’s recent claims, calling them “factually incorrect” and “baseless”, and rejecting suggestions that he supported the abrogation of Article 370 in private.
“If Dulat sahib considers himself my friend, then let me say—real friends don’t write such things,” Abdullah said, while speaking to a news wire, as per news agency JKNS.
He firmly denied allegations that he consulted Dulat during the formation of the 1996 government. “Why would I ask him about cabinet portfolios when I was the Chief Minister? I had a cabinet to run the government. A CM does not consult anyone outside the cabinet,” he asserted.
Farooq also rejected the claim that he was prepared to align with the BJP during the abrogation of Article 370. “That is completely false. I was in jail. My daughter informed me that the Home Minister told Parliament I was free. I then spoke to the media—and that very night, PSA was slapped on us,” he said.
Countering the claim that he betrayed Article 370 by privately backing its removal, Farooq said, “If that were true, why did the NC pass a resolution in the assembly with a two-thirds majority in support of Article 370?”
He also rubbished Dulat’s assertion that the NC contested elections on the former spymaster’s advice. “We fought elections to address people’s grievances, not on anyone’s suggestion. It’s unfortunate Dulat keeps claiming I consulted him. If he says he is my friend, I’m sorry—but his book is full of untruths.”
Quoting a phrase used by Queen Elizabeth II amid royal controversies, Farooq added sharply, “When members of the royal family made similar claims, the Queen said, ‘Recollections may vary.’ Perhaps Dulat sahib should see that.” (JKNS)
