Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday termed the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "two faces of the same coin", charging both with aiming to divide society and create hatred to win power.
Addressing a public meeting in Darhal assembly constituency of hilly Rajouri district in Jammu region, he said: "PDP and BJP are two faces of same coin. Their only agenda is to divide people on emotional grounds, polarize the society and hatred to grab power."
He disclosed he had sought cooperation from the PDP for speedy progress of Jammu and Kashmir when he came to power after the 2008 assembly elections but was disappointed.
"When in 2002, (PDP's) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took over as the chief minister, I went to him to congratulate and assure full support of my party, when we were in the opposition, for the welfare of the state and upliftment of people.
"Yet again in 2008 when I became the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, without waiting for receiving any word from Sayeed, I went to him to convey that politics apart, we should together pull the state out of economic mess, unemployment and other issues.
"Though he appreciated my intentions and agreed with me in this regard, yet instead of moving a step in this direction, he and his party started unabated false propaganda against me and my government," he said, accusing the PDP of having only one agenda - of removing him from the chair by hook or crook and grabbing power for vested interests.
The chief minister also revealed that a number of PDP legislators had contacted him during the party's tenure and offered him their support to dislodge Sayeed.
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"But I told them that neither I nor my party (National Conference) believes in this kind of political games. We do principle-based politics and take on our political opponents in the open political arena rather than indulging in any conspiracy for getting power," he said.
Dismissing the PDP allegations that scams and scandals had been brewing under his rule in the state, Abdullah said the difference lies in the fact that after learning about the crimes committed by somebody does the government protect him or hands down a severe punishment to him.
Referring to the recent MBBS entrance exam test paper leakage racket, Abdullah noted that the scam had been unearthed by his government and the top accused in the scam had been put behind the bars.
"As soon as my government unearthed the medical seat scam, we removed the officer and handed over him to police," he said.
The chief minister said that BJP is equally responsible for disturbing the peace, creation of tension between various sections and regions of the state and said that BJP leaders are in search of occasions to make communal tension flare up for political advantage.