Srinagar, Oct 26 (HS): National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq has said the BJP is playing politics by picking out one part of Dr Farooq Abdullah’s recent speech. He said there is nothing seditious in Dr Farooq’s speech, and that it is being presented in a distorted manner.

He was speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Monday.

Dr Farooq Abdullah had addressed a party workers’ convention in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Saturday.

According to reports, referring to Pakistan’s role in raising the Kashmir issue at the international level, he had said: “Pakistan is protecting us; otherwise, their (the Centre’s) intentions are not good.” The BJP described the remark as “seditious and anti-national” and demanded legal action against him. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanded action, while the party’s J&K president Sat Sharma demanded an apology.

Asked about Dr Farooq Abdullah’s recent statement, Sadiq said: “Those who misrepresented the statement should have first listened to the doctor Sahab’s entire speech. In his speech, the doctor sahab also spoke about the tribals, and he also said how much the neighbouring country oppressed people here and how NC workers fought.”

“The BJP is playing its dirty politics by picking out one part of the doctor Sahab’s speech. The most surprising thing is that 99 per cent of people have not even heard the speech,” he said.

Sadiq said hundreds of NC workers have made sacrifices and therefore do not need a certificate from anyone.

On the cabinet expansion and reshuffle, Sadiq said all preparations have been completed. “The important thing here is that it is the chief minister’s prerogative. He has taken the final decision after speaking to party president Dr Farooq Abdullah. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 10:30 am tomorrow, for which invitations have also been sent by the Lieutenant Governor,” he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat