Those who wanted to divide Jammu and Kashmir have failed today: Farooq Abdullah

As government offices reopened in Jammu, resuming the tradition of “Darbar Transfer,” National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Monday that “those who wanted to divide Jammu and Kashmir have failed.” Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the reopening of offices, Abdullah said the Union Territory is united and should collectively move towards development. He said, “Those who wanted to separate Jammu and Kashmir have failed today.” He added that all parts of the Union Territory are “one.” Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said those politicizing the issue should “give up politics” and instead focus on the welfare of the people and the development of the Union Territory. Abdullah said Jammu will also progress and expressed hope that the secretariat will bring “maximum benefits.” He said, “This (former) state will have to rise again.” It has overcome many destructions, including wars, and we must together rebuild it and take it towards development.” Abdullah congratulated the Chamber of Commerce and the people for welcoming the move. He said, “I express my gratitude to every person in Jammu who supported this move.” As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah passed through Residency Road and Raghunath Bazaar, various trade associations, including the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave him a grand welcome and praised his decision to restart the age-old tradition that was stopped by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021. Describing the tradition of ‘Darbar Shifting’, started by Maharaja Hari Singh, as a “big step,” Farooq Abdullah said the move reflects the unity among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The former chief minister said, “This means that the people of Jammu and Kashmir consider themselves one, irrespective of their caste or religion, they belong to the same land.” On the issue of fulfilling the demands of the people, Abdullah said that the long-standing demand for ‘Darbar Shifting’ has been met and expressed confidence that other demands will also be met “gradually within the next four years.” Regarding the assembly by-elections to be held in Jammu and Kashmir on November 11, the NC president said, “Everyone hopes that the elections will be good and we also hope that they will be good for us. Our expectations are positive.”