BJP cannot abrogate Article 370: Omar Abdullah
'Those who wanted to wish away Modi factor in the elections had a rude awakening'
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said Article 370 of the Constitution could not be abrogated even though the BJP, which is calling for its repeal, is poised to form government at the Centre.
Omar Abdullah today took "total responsibility" for complete rout of the National Conference-Congress coalition in Lok Sabha polls in the state, and said the result was a "rude awakening" for those who wanted to wish away the Modi factor.
"It is for me to accept complete and total responsibility for the outcome of this election in the state...," Omar said, adding that "I hope that they are able to adequately represent the wi shes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament".
Asked whether he would step down as Chief Minister, he said he was "still grappling with" it, and added he would not hesitate to do so if the leadership wanted that from him. National Conference and Congress alliance candidates have already lost in three of the state's six Lok Sabha seats and starring at defeat in the rest.
Congratulating PDP, BJP and NDA, Omar said, "Those who wanted to wish away Modi factor in the elections had a rude awakening." He admitted that Modi was an important factor in this year's Lok Sabha polls but his performance in Parliament and governance has to be seen.
"Those of us who very conveniently sort of wished away the Modi factor in this election have had a rude awakening.
Clearly, most observers underestimated the impact he would have on this election. Now what impact he has on Parliament (and) governance, particularly with regard to Jammu and Kashmir, we will have to wait and see," he said.
He said the verdict will have far reaching consequences in the country. It will be for the first time since 1984 that the country can have what could be a one-party government.
Asked if he had thought about stepping down as Chief Minister in view of the election results in the state, Omar said, "This is parliamentary election. This is not an Assembly election. I have accepted the responsibility for the performance of the alliance in the state in this election."
"Beyond that should I continue or not is a question that I am still grappling with. It is not something that has clear cut answers. I also need to recognise that it is the decision
that my party and the allies have to take. I am taking responsibility and I am not shying away from it. It is my defeat more than anybody else's," he said.