Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has called for an “honest commission” to ascertain the truth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that Article 370 had resulted in misgovernance in the erstwhile state.

Farooq, who was reacting to Modi’s speech in Srinagar on Thursday, said an impartial commission should investigate the claims that the regional parties contributed to Jammu and Kashmir’s purported under-development.

The National Conference president said Jammu and Kashmir was on a par with developed states such as Gujarat on various fronts.

“Appoint a commission, probe it all with impartiality so that this rhetoric ends forever. Look at the health index, the education sector and the finance sector of Jammu
and Kashmir before 370 and investigate it. The truth will come to light,” Farooq said in a statement.

“Today, education is only free up to the 14th class. In the universities, you have to pay now. An honest commission has to be put to see what was there before the revocation of Article 370 and what was there thereafter.”

Modi had on Thursday said the Congress and its allies had misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country in the name of Article 370. He claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was kept in chains for the benefit of a few families who focused on parivarvaad (dynasty) politics and encouraged corruption.

“Today there is no 370, hence the talent of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir is being fully respected and they are getting new opportunities. Today there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here,” Modi had said.

Farooq denied the allegations of dynastic politics and said that the people reject or select their representatives in a democracy .

“Unlike autocracy where leaders are imposed on the populace, in democracy, leaders are chosen through a democratic process,” he said.

Talking to the reporters on Saturday, Farooq said the INDIA grouping would rise because it stood for the future of India and its democracy.

The NC president was responding to questions on the growing rift with the Peoples Democratic Party following his decision to deny any seat to the latter in the upcoming parliamentary polls. He said the alliance, like the country, stood for its people.

“India is for all. India is not Pakistan. India’s Constitution was framed on these lines. We are all one. How does it matter what religion you have, which language you speak and what is your culture?” he asked.