New Delhi: Launching an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his speech on democracy in the White House in the United States on Thursday, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said he belongs to that part of the country where “democracy is murdered”. Omar Abdullah made the remarks after the crucial Opposition meeting that was held in Patna on Friday.
“We have met to save the country from devastation and to bring democracy back. I and Mehbooba Mufti belong to that part of the country where democracy is murdered...Yesterday in America there were discussions about democracy in the White House. Why does this democracy reach Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar Abdullah said after the meeting.
Expressing concern over the democracy being “attacked”, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, “The way our constitution, secularism and democracy is being attacked, it started in Jammu and Kashmir. And, now it's happening across the country.”
Top leaders of Opposition parties held discussions to chalk out a roadmap to forge an anti-BJP front to face the Modi juggernaut in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
The meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD ended after several hours of deliberations. As the host, the Bihar CM presided over the meeting, flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.
Addressing the media after the meet, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said, “I am interacting with you after so many days. I am fit now and I'll make them (BJP) fit. PM Modi distributing sandalwood in US when country facing problems.”
More than 30 leaders of 15 Opposition parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief minister's 1, Aney Marg, residence in Patna, news agency PTI reported citing sources.