Balakot airstrike was done due to elections: Farooq Abdullah

Raising serious allegations against Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah today said alleged that "surgical strikes were done due to approaching elections."

"We always knew that there would be a fight or a skirmish with Pakistan. This surgical strike (airstrike) was done as elections are approaching," Farooq said.



He also questioned Election Commission's decision to hold the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu & Kashmir but deferring the state elections.

"All parties are in favour of holding simultaneous (LS & state assembly) polls. Environment is conducive for Lok Sabha polls but not state polls in J&K?" he asked.

"Local body polls were held peacefully, there are enough forces present, then why state elections can't be held?" he questioned.

Election Commission yesterday announced dates for Lok Sabha polls. Lok Sabha elections will be held in the state from April 11 in five phases. However, poll panel deferred the decision to hold simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and Assembly in the state.

The Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also criticised the panel for not holding the assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha elections.

"Decision to hold only parliamentary elections in J&K confirms sinister designs of Government of India," former state chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said.

"Not letting people elect a government is antithetical to the very idea of democracy. Also a tactic of buying time to disempower people by pushing an agenda that suits their ulterior motives," she said in a tweet.


The National Conference (NC) leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullahalso slammed the Modi-led government and said that the prime minister's "abject surrender" to the anti-India forces is "a crying shame".

“First time since 1996 Assembly elections in J and K are not being held on time. Remember this the next time you are praising PM Modi for his strong leadership," Omar tweeted.