SRINAGAR, Sep 30: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah stated on Monday that the INDI alliance will make a decision on the Waqf Bill once it is returned to Parliament by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Abdullah’s remarks came in response to a question regarding Home Minister Amit Shah’s declaration earlier in Haryana that the Waqf Bill would be passed in the next parliamentary session. Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Abdullah said, “Let’s wait and see what unfolds… as they say, ‘Ibtedaae ishq hai rota hai kya, Aage Aage dekhiye hota hai kya’ (It’s only the beginning of love, wait and see what happens next).”
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister reiterated that the INDI alliance would carefully review the bill once it is presented in Parliament, adding that a collective decision would be taken with other alliance leaders.
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and his criticism of the National Conference, Abdullah responded with confidence. “I am very happy. It is the National Conference that is challenging them [BJP], and that’s what bothers them,” he said.
Regarding remarks by Union Ministers that Article 370 had been permanently revoked, Abdullah retorted, “They want to bury everything. But a day will come when they too will be buried.”
As the conversation shifted to the upcoming third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on October 1, Abdullah expressed hope, saying, “If almighty wills, the people will make the right choice in the elections, and that decision will help restore the true identity of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Abdullah’s comments reflect the National Conference’s firm stance against the ruling party’s policies and its dedication to preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and identity while awaiting key decisions from the INDI alliance regarding the Waqf Bill.