Centre kept Article 370 plan secret, but NC’s Gul knew it all along, says Omar

SRINAGAR: While the Centre took all by surprise by announcing the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, there was one person in J&K who knew it beforehand, CM Omar Abdullah said in the assembly Monday, apologizing to the party chief whip, Mubarak Gul, for not heeding to his foreboding then.Omar made the statement while speaking on a bill Gul moved to enhance the salary of the chief whip on the lines of other states. While the CM rejected the bill, he praised Gul for political acumen.He said amid widespread uncertainty in J&K, politicians huddled to debate possible situations on August 3, 2019.“At that time, Mubarak Gul stood up and thumped the table, telling us that Article 370 and 35A would be abrogated, and J&K would be bifurcated and turned into an UT,” National Conference chairperson said, recalling he had dismissed Gul’s warning.“I told him if the Centre had to do it, they would do it around Lok Sabha polls to gain a few seats. Why would they do it four-and-a-half years before the election?” Omar said.“The meeting ended and we all went home,” Omar said, adding, “but on August 5, 2019, when our houses were locked and I saw the news on television, I could only think of Mubarak Gul.”The CM said he still does not know how Gul had foreseen the Modi govt’s plan. As Omar was speaking, MLAs looked towards Gul, hoping futilely he would reveal it. Instead, Gul stood up to announce the withdrawal of his bill.