Omar Abdullah Apologizes to Mubarak Gul for Dismissing Article 370 Prediction
In a surprising revelation in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah admitted that one individual had accurately predicted the abrogation of Article 370 before it occurred on August 5, 2019. Abdullah apologized to National Conference chief whip Mubarak Gul for not heeding his forewarning at the time.
Assembly Statement on Political Acumen
Omar Abdullah made these remarks while speaking on a bill moved by Mubarak Gul to enhance the salary of the chief whip, aligning it with other states. Although Abdullah rejected the bill, he praised Gul for his exceptional political insight and acumen.
The former CM recounted a crucial meeting on August 3, 2019, where politicians in J&K gathered to discuss potential scenarios amid widespread uncertainty. "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 a Union Territory," Abdullah stated, recalling the incident vividly.
Dismissal of the Warning
Abdullah admitted that he had dismissed Gul's warning at the meeting. "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?" he said, explaining his reasoning at the time.
The meeting concluded without further action, and participants returned home. However, on August 5, 2019, when the central government announced the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah found himself reflecting on Gul's prediction. "When our houses were locked and I saw the news on television, I could only think of Mubarak Gul," he revealed emotionally.
Mystery Surrounding the Prediction
Omar Abdullah expressed continued bafflement over how Mubarak Gul had foreseen the Modi government's plan. "I still do not know how Gul had foreseen the Modi government's plan," he confessed during his assembly speech.
As Abdullah spoke, other MLAs turned their attention toward Gul, hoping he might reveal the source of his insight. Instead, Gul stood up to announce the withdrawal of his bill on chief whip salaries, adding a dramatic twist to the proceedings.
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of political developments in Jammu and Kashmir and underscores the importance of heeding warnings from seasoned politicians. The abrogation of Article 370 remains a pivotal moment in India's constitutional history, and Gul's prediction serves as a notable footnote in that narrative.
