By IANS
Jammu : Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah Sunday surprised his friends and critics by attending a Shiv Sena function in Jammu city.
“I have a purpose in attending this function,” Abdullah said in response to the raised eyebrows.
“I want to send a message to all the divisive forces that our strength lies not in isolating the people or creating divisions but embracing each other. For, secularism alone can save this state and our great nation,” added Abdullah, who is also the senior leader of the National Conference.
At the function, the state Shiv Sena gave away awards to and honoured some of the leading local persons.
Farooq Abdullah said the Peoples Democratic Party – the junior partner in the ruling alliance with the Congress party – had sought to make a big issue out of secularism and should know “secularism is our strength and we cannot allow divisions to grow. We need to bridge the divisions.”