PDP, BJP inherently opposed to Article 370: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today termed BJP and PDP as two sides of the same coin while alleging that both the parties are inherently opposed to Article 370, which gives special status to the state.

"PDP and BJP are two sides of the same coin and both parties are inherently opposed to Article 370. While (PDP patron) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed eroded Article 370 from 1953 to 1975, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi wants to abrogate it and both these leaders have similar intentions," Omar said addressing a public meeting in Beerwah constituency of north Kashmir's Budgam district.

"I am amazed that Mufti Sahab can openly talk about Article 370 when it was none other than him who played a very important role in the erosion of Article 370 when (NC founder) Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was languishing in jail for 23 years.

"How can a man who till yesterday portrayed Article 370 to be the mother of all evil be someone who talks in favour of Article 370 today," Omar said.

He claimed that the NC has stood in unquestionable defence of Article 370.