'Mai Bharat Ka Bashinda Hun': Farooq Abdullah as Pak Minister Endorses Cong-NC Stand On Article 370

Jammu: National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Thursday, September 19 distanced himself from commenting on recent remarks made by Pakistan 's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Article 370.

Speaking to ANI, Farooq said, “I don't know what Pakistan says. I am not a Pakistani, I am an Indian citizen (Mai Bharat Ka Bashinda Hun).” 

In a recent interview with Geo News, Asif claimed that the Shehbaz Sharif government and the Congress -National Conference (NC) alliance share a common stance on restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

" Pakistan and National Conference- Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A," he said.

This statement comes as Jammu and Kashmir has completed the first phase of its Assembly elections, with two phases remaining.

' Pakistan , Congress Always on Same Side': BJP

Following the remarks made by Asif, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a scathing attack saying that both Congress and Pakistan are always on the same side.

BJP leader Amit Malviya wrote on X, " Pakistan , a terrorist state, endorses Congress and National Conference’s position on Kashmir. Pakistan ’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News, says, ' Pakistan and National Conference- Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A.' How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan , Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are always on the side of those hostile to India's interests?"

Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also weighed in, stating, "This should be known and understood by every Indian. Under Rahul Gandhi , the Congress 's stance on every issue always aligns with Pakistan 's. From J&K to Bangladesh —they hold the same position. What power does Pakistan wield over Rahul? What is the reason for this control? Do the Pakistanis have some leverage over Congress ?"