Air strike was done keeping LS polls in mind: Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar: Terming IAF strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot as an election stunt, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday accused the ruling BJP of creating an "environment of fear" in the country.

"We always knew that there would be a fight or a skirmish with Pakistan. This surgical strike (air strike) was done as elections are approaching. We lost an aircraft worth crores. Be thankful that the pilot (Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman) survived and returned from Pakistan with respect," Farooq told ANI.

He added, "They (BJP) have failed in everything that is why they want to create an environment of fear. They want us to think that only he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) can save us."

When asked about the success of the strike, he said, "No terrorist was killed, in return, we lost our jet."  

Raising questions over the Election Commission's (EC) decision not to conduct Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously, Farooq alleged that BJP intends to conspire in the polls. 

He said, "I do not understand. All parties are in favour of holding simultaneous (Lok Sabha and State Assembly) polls. An environment is conducive for Lok Sabha polls but not state polls in Jammu and Kashmir! Local body polls were held peacefully, there is enough forces present, then why can't the state elections be held?"

"They are intending to rig the polls in some way that is why they have taken this decision not to simultaneous polls in Jammu and Kashmir," he alleged. 

He further said that EC has lost its independence and has become a "political commission". He said, "I wish some new government comes and gives back the independence of Election Commission which it deserves."