Published 11:24 IST, November 22nd 2018
Blazing row erupts as furious Omar Abdullah dares Ram Madhav over 'instructions from across border' charge
A sensational war of words has erupted between JKNC's Omar Abdullah and BJP's Ram Madhav with the former J&K Chief Minister daring the BJP national secretary over the latter's claim that the PDP and National Conference had boycotted last month's local body polls because they had 'instructions from across the border'.
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A sensational war of words has erupted between JKNC's Omar Abdullah and BJP's Ram Madhav with the former J&K Chief Minister daring the BJP national secretary over the latter's claim that the PDP and National Conference had boycotted last month's local body polls because they had 'instructions from across the border'.
Speaking to reporters on the dramatic developments in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday evening, Ram Madhav had alleged that the two J&K parties had boycotted the local polls as "they had instructions from across the border. Probably they had fresh instructions from across the border to come together and form a government. What they did prompted the Governor to look into the whole issue".
Taking umbrage at this, Omar Abdullah shot back, writing:
I dare you Ram Madhav ji to prove your allegation. You have RAW, NIA & IB at your command (CBI too is your parrot) so have the guts to place evidence in the public domain. Either prove this or be man enough to apologise. Don’t practice shoot & scoot politics.
Ram Madhav then wrote back, adopting a more friendly demeanour, and emphasising that he didn't mean offence:
Just take it in your stride Omar Abdullah Not questioning your patriotism at all. But d sudden love between NC n PDP n d hurry to form government leads to many suspicions n political comments. Not to offend u. 😁
However, Omar Abdullah has not accepted Ram Madhav's explanation, writing back almost immediately,
"No, misplaced attempts at humour won’t work. You HAVE claimed my party has been acting at the behest of Pakistan. I dare you to prove it! Place the evidence of your allegation of NC boycott of ULB polls at Pak behest in public domain. It’s an open challenge to you & your Govt."
The exchange comes against the backdrop of sensational developments on Wednesday night as the J&K Assembly was dissolved by Governor Satya Pal Malik even as competing claims were made to form a government in the state, by the alliance of PDP-NC-Congress and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone backed by the BJP.
11:01 IST, November 22nd 2018