'Farooq Abdullah supported Centre's Article 370 move privately': Ex-RAW chief says 'no one knows what transpired'

Farooq Abdullah was a secret supporter of Abrogation of Article 370, ex-RAW chief has said

Former RAW chief AS Dulat has made a big claim regarding National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah and his stand against the abrogation of article 370. Dulat, in his new book titled, 'The Chief Minister and the Spy', said that even though Abdullah has always spoken against the Centre's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, he was actually a silent supporter of the move.

The book has reportedly recorded a conversation between Abdullah and Dulat. "We would have helped (pass the proposal). Why were we not taken into confidence?" Abdulah had asked Dulat, according to the ex-RAW chief's book. "What transpired…nobody will ever know," Dulat's book reads, as per a report by Hindustan Times.

Contrary to Dulat's claims, Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah have always spoken against the abrogation. During his public speeches on many ocassions, Abdullah has called the abrogation a "betrayal" by the Modi government.

On the face of it, Abdullah was detained for nearly seven months after the decision regarding the abrogation of Article 370 was made. Dulat, in his book, wrote, "They (government) wanted him to accept the new reality."

Several people have reacted to Dulat's claim. J&K People's Conference chief Sajad Lone said, "I am not surprised. We had an idea about this earlier." "He is trying to sell his book, and what better than creating a controversy related to Jammu and Kashmir?" JKNC Chief Spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said.

What is Article 370?

Article 370 was a part of the Indian Constitution that gave a unique status to Jammu and Kashmir. According to Article 370, the Central Government had only a limited control over Jammu and Kashmir. The provision granted Jammu and Kashmir control over its internal affairs and the law and order situation. It also gave it power over residency and land ownership affairs.

Abrogation of Article 370

On August 5, 2019, The Modi government ordered an Abrogation of Article 370, as part of a historic decision. It changed the way things functioned in Jammu and Kashmir and revoked the special status that was given to the Northern state of India. It brought Jammu and Kashmir under the control of the Central government - with all Central laws now applicable to the state as well - much like all other states in India.