Farooq Abdullah stirs controversy, labels PM Modi and Amit Shah as "biggest enemies of people"

National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah on Sunday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah "biggest enemies of people", alleging that they want to divide the country.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister made the remarks at a public meeting in Mir Bahri Dal.

"PM Modi and Shah are the biggest enemies of people who believe in dividing the nation on basis of caste, creed and religion. But the people have made it a point not to fall prey to the divisive agenda of the BJP," Mr Abdullah said.

The National Conference patriarch accused BJP of trying to divert people's attention by propping up emotive issues.

"These people want to change the very framework of the Constitution of India, which grants equal rights and opportunities to everyone. It is the Constitution of India which grants rights to profess any faith. It is the same Constitution that confers upon our state certain constitutional safeguards," Mr Abdullah said.

Read: NC President Farooq Abdullah Demands Inquiry In The Pulwama Terror Attack, Says 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Will Decide 'weather J&K Will Be Able To Remain A Part Of The Union With Dignity'

"It is the same Constitution which grants our state a special status by means of Article 35 A and Article 370. These people have always shown abhorrence for our special status and special constitutional position," he added.

Mr Abdullah said the BJP manifesto reflects the BJP's hatred for the identity of the state.

"They have forcefully vowed to do away with the provisions of Article 370, Article 35 A in that manifesto. Their sole agenda is to change the demography of our state. However, let me tell them that they are playing with fire," he said.

Alluding to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and People's Conference (PC), Mr Abdullah said the BJP was using its "cronies" to weaken the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Read: PIL Seeking Ban On Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah And Mehbooba Mufti From Lok Sabha Polls Dismissed

(With inputs from PTI)