Srinagar, (CNI): National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Friday said that there was an “undeclared emergency” in the country and it was in greater danger than during the Emergency in 1975.

 

“The usual complaint is that the period we are living in is worse than the Emergency. The only difference is that (former Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi called it an Emergency.

 

Commenting on Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on the issue, Abdullah told reporters here, “Today, the situation is like an emergency, but, it is not called an emergency.”

 

The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that today democracy is in more danger than it was during Emergency in 1975.

 

“Tell me, how much freedom do you have to report the truth?… Today, democracy is more at risk than in those days. Indira had the courage to hold elections then. They did not arrest anyone before the elections.

 

“Look at what is happening today. Wherever BJP feels threatened, candidates are arrested by some agency. If it is not an emergency, release the opposition leaders and see the people support them. Give or not.

 

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s jab at dynastic politics based on NC, PDP and Congress, the NC leader said, “He (PM) raises these issues when he comes here. We look forward to his programmes. Abdullah said that Modi, who has been in power for the last 10 years, only talks about ‘Peerwar Vaad’. BJP is not anti-dynasties in politics. It is only anti-dynasties. There are those who are against BJP.

 

If you look at the distribution of their mandate this time, almost one-fifth of it belongs to political families. BJP has given tickets to the families of its leaders.

 

“If that ‘Parivar Vaad’ is fine with the BJP, then why do they object when it comes to us?” It is only because we oppose them. We have been opposing them and we will continue to oppose them,” said the NC vice president. (CNI)