Srinagar, April 16: Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A.S. Dulat has made a significant claim in his latest book, suggesting that National Conference (NC) patron Farooq Abdullah privately supported the Centre’s move to revoke Article 370, despite publicly opposing it and terming it a betrayal.
According to Dulat, Farooq Abdullah had expressed disappointment over not being consulted on the matter, reportedly telling him, “We would have helped (pass the proposal). Why were we not taken into confidence?” The book, published by Juggernaut, also mentions that Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi just days before the constitutional change. “What transpired…nobody will ever know,” Dulat writes.
Following the revocation on August 5, 2019, Farooq Abdullah was detained for seven months. During this time, the Union Government quietly assessed his position. “They wanted him to accept the new reality,” the book notes.
Reacting to these claims, Peoples Conference Chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone said the revelation carries weight as it comes from someone as close to Abdullah as Dulat. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lone described Dulat as “virtually the alter ego” of Farooq Abdullah and sarcastically referred to him as the “Uncle of the infamous Uncles and Aunties Brigade of Delhi.”
Lone also predicted that the NC would deny the claim and portray it as a conspiracy, saying, “They have perfected playing the victim card.” He alleged that NC legislators privately maintain cordial relations with the BJP while publicly opposing it.
He further added that he was not surprised by the disclosure, recalling the August 4, 2019, meeting between the Abdullahs and the Prime Minister. “I can visualise Farooq sahib saying—Humey roney deejiye—Aap apna kaam karein—hum aap kay saath hain,” he remarked, hinting that political rewards in 2024 were linked to prior cooperation.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti also weighed in, claiming that Farooq Abdullah’s decision to remain in Kashmir instead of being present in Parliament helped ease the process of altering J&K’s constitutional status.
On X, she stated, “Dulat sahab, an ardent Abdullah supporter, has now confirmed that Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s illegal move… This confirms long-held suspicions about the Abdullahs’ meeting with the PM before Article 370 was abrogated.”
