Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah (PTI)
NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday defended Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the BJP accused him of meeting “anti-Indian forces” during his visit to Germany.Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said that travelling abroad, meeting people outside the country is not a crime and that the prime minister does it too.“When has Rahul Gandhi met any anti-Indian personality? Is it a crime to go abroad? He is free to go anywhere and talk (to anyone). Everyone does it. The prime minister does it. All ministers do it. Why should the BJP people object?” said Abdullah, as quoted by PTI.He was responding to remarks by BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, who accused Gandhi of meeting “enemies of India” during his visit to Germany.BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia showed a photograph of Gandhi with Berlin-based Hertie School president and professor Cornellia Woll, calling it “proof” of the Congress leader meeting “anti-India forces in Germany.”He also claimed that Woll is a trustee of the Central European University, which he said is funded by US-based billionaire investor George Soros’s Open Society Foundation.Separately, Abdullah spoke about the dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the lack of rain or snowfall since November has raised concerns over water supply, air quality, and the winter tourism season. “We are waiting impatiently for snow. It has been dry since November. And we are feeling a little shortage of water everywhere. Pollution has also increased in both, Jammu and Kashmir regions. Whether it is rain or snow, the air will be cleaner. But the big thing is that our winter tourism season will start,” he said.
