Omar accuses Lone of sending crowd to PM Modi’s rally

SRINAGAR: As prime minister Narendra Modi is set to have speech at a poll rally in Srinagar, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday claimed that Peoples Conference’s Sajjad Lone, separatist turned mainstream leader contesting from Handwara, is transporting the crowd.

“So @sajadlone is sending about 80 vehicles of supporters from Kupwara to help his “big brother” make up the numbers,” he tweeted.

Taking a swipe at BJP, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday accused it of bringing in supporters from other parts of the state for Prime Mister Narendra Modi’s rally here.

“Two trainloads of supporters are being brought in from Banihal in Jammu. Why not just have the rally there?” Omar wrote on Twitter, ahead of Modi’s maiden election rally in Srinagar.

“Not a single BJP flag or banner on the vehicles or with the people I saw walking into the stadium. Such a telling sign of BJP support,” Omar said in another tweet. SRINAGAR: Sajad Lone, People’s Conference leader and a candidate in the state assembly elections, Monday denied CM Omar Abdullah’s charge that he had sent 80 vehicle loads of people to attend PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Srinagar.

“I thought Omar is a new generation politician who does not lie. But, he has lied through his teeth by saying

I have sent supporters to attend the BJP rally in Srinagar today (Monday),” Sajad said.

PTI

Omar’s official residence is close to the venue of the rally.

The chief minister also hit out at the Congress Party, saying: “Amazingly even Cong(ress) supported ‘leaders’ have been asked to contribute people to the BJP rally. Politics makes for strange bedfellows.”