J&K special status tampered with whenever NC is not in power: Omar

Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said Wednesday Jammu and Kashmir's special status was "tampered" with whenever his party remained away from power in the state.

"The basic structure of the state was entirely obliterated by the opportunistic forces that got a field day because of our absence. From 1953-1974, 37 amendments were made to the state constitution, making a pale shadow of what it used to be before 1953," Abdullah said at a party convention in Beerwah constituency of central Kashmir's Budgam district.

The former chief minister said the very identity of the state was "facing an onslaught from all sides" and the severity of the situation demanded a strong mandated government of his party that would put up a strong front for safeguarding the special status.

Abdullah said coalition governments in J&K had proved "detrimental" to the state's interests, saying the need of the hour was to have a strong nucleus to carry forward the agenda ..