"BJP will do everything to defame NC": National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday accused the BJP of 'defaming' the NC and said that the country belongs to all its citizens, including Muslims, and stated that those questioning Muslims should be reminded about their significant contributions and sacrifices for the country's independence.
"BJP will do everything possible to defame the National Conference, but we will win and change the fate of the people," said the National Conference chief.
The NC chief also took issue with the BJP's claim that terrorism would resurface if the National Conference and Congress were to come to power. He countered that a coalition between the National Conference and Congress would work towards restoring statehood.
Speaking to the media, NC chief Farooq Abdullah said, "They (the BJP) are scared of the National Conference. They will do everything possible to defame the National Conference, but we will win and change the fate of the people. I just want to say to him (HM Amit Shah) that the India they want to make, we are against it. India belongs to everyone--Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and others."
"The ones who are raising questions over Muslims should know that Muslims have also contributed and sacrificed their lives for independence. They (BJP) are only trying to scare Hindus. They think Hindus will vote for them, but I want to tell them that now those Hindus are not the same Hindus," he stated.
Adding further, Abdullah said, "The BJP says if the National Conference and Congress come to power, terrorism will start again. I ask them, when they abolished Article 370, did terrorism end? The National Conference and Congress will ensure that we get our statehood back."
Earlier on Saturday, while launching a scathing attack on Congress and the National Conference's manifesto, Union Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said that they want to bring back the old system and start talks with Pakistan, but "till there is no peace, there will be no talks with Pakistan."
Criticising the Congress and National Conference's manifesto, Shah said that they want to spread terrorism, snatch reservations of Gujjars, Bakarwal, Paharis and Dalits, release criminals and start LOC trade with Pakistan, in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Three families want Jammu and Kashmir to incline towards terrorism. Gandhi, Abdullah and the Mufti family have looted money from Jammu and Kashmir; they want to restore the old system, which means there will be inequality in Jammu. No power can talk about giving autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. They are fooling the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi should stop misguiding people. They want to snatch the reservation of Gujjars, Bakarwal, Paharis and Dalits," said Shah.
"Congress and National Conference are saying they will restore statehood. Tell me who can give it? It is only the Central government, PM Modi who can give it. So stop fooling the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have said that at an appropriate time after the elections, we will give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. We have said this in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi should stop misleading the people of J&K," Union Minister Amit Shah said.
Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1.
There are a total number of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs.
According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.