Jammu Kashmir National Conference leader and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has sparked controversy by alleging that the current administration is pressuring government employees to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Srinagar on March 7.
Abdullah took to social media, sharing a redacted document purportedly listing government employees who are being compelled to gather as early as 4:30 am in freezing temperatures to be transported to the rally venue by buses. The document allegedly suggests that department heads are threatening disciplinary action against those who do not comply.
Abdullah criticized the administration, suggesting that their actions aim to manufacture support for the Prime Minister, stating, “The dictatorial J&K Govt has pulled out all stops to give the PM a crowd because the BJP can’t manage anything in J&K without the administration.”
He further claimed that private schools, including prominent institutions like DPS, have been instructed to provide their buses to ferry employees to the rally.
During his visit, PM Modi is expected to unveil several development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore and address a public meeting at Srinagar’s refurbished Bakhshi Stadium.
Abdullah expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the crowd at the rally, suggesting that attendees are not there of their own free will, predicting that media coverage would omit this detail.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi tweeted about his Kashmir visit, highlighting the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme and various development works worth over Rs 5000 crore related to boosting the agro-economy and tourism.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana praised Prime Minister Modi’s support for the cooperative movement across the country, emphasizing its role in driving socio-economic progress, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rana said that the BJP is committed to empowering grassroots institutions and promoting cooperative enterprises, citing the potential of cooperatives in fostering growth and rural development.
He criticized the Congress for politicizing the cooperative movement in the past but expressed optimism about its bright future under BJP leadership.