. SRINAGAR: While the Centre took all by surprise by announcing the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, there was one person in J&K who knew it beforehand, CM Omar Abdullah said in the assembly Monday, apologizing to the party chief whip, Mubarak Gul, for not heeding to his foreboding then.Omar made the statement while speaking on a bill Gul moved to enhance the salary of the chief whip on the lines of other states. While the CM rejected the bill, he praised Gul for political acumen.He said amid widespread uncertainty in J&K, politicians huddled to debate possible situations on August 3, 2019.“At that time, Mubarak Gul stood up and thumped the table, telling us that Article 370 and 35A would be abrogated, and J&K would be bifurcated and turned into an UT,” National Conference chairperson said, recalling he had dismissed Gul’s warning.“I told him if the Centre had to do it, they would do it around Lok Sabha polls to gain a few seats. Why would they do it four-and-a-half years before the election?” Omar said.“The meeting ended and we all went home,” Omar said, adding, “but on August 5, 2019, when our houses were locked and I saw the news on television, I could only think of Mubarak Gul.”The CM said he still does not know how Gul had foreseen the Modi govt’s plan. As Omar was speaking, MLAs looked towards Gul, hoping futilely he would reveal it. Instead, Gul stood up to announce the withdrawal of his bill.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAmit Shah Flags Russia-China Influence During CPI, CPI(M) Formation; Slams Bhagat Singh ComparisonCensus Goes Fully Digital: How India Will Count Its Population With Apps, Data And Self-Entry’Global Oil Crisis May Push India Closer To Iran’: US Expert Robert Pape Hints Big Diplomatic Shift’India Is Now Naxal-Free’: Amit Shah Tells Lok Sabha; Hits Out At Congress, Rahul Gandhi’India Better Mediator Than Pakistan’: Israeli Envoy Says Islamabad Is Trying Hard To Be RelevantTrump Threatens To ‘Obliterate’ Iran’s Infra If No Deal; Tehran Rejects Pak’s Mediation ProposalNew Income Tax Rules Kick In From April With Same Rates, Sharper Rules And Tighter Reporting System’Congress Laid Red Carpet For Red Corridor’: Anurag Thakur Hits Out Over Naxalism’Family Of Pimps’: Pakistan Minister Khawaja Asif Loses Cool At Jaishankar’s Alleged ‘Dalal’ RemarkMiG-29 Fighter Jets Get Major Boost, Indian Air Force Plans ASRAAM Missile Integration For Combat123Photostories7 traditional cooling alternatives to coffee for your summer morning routineNavi Mumbai’s billionaire lanes: 5 posh localities dominating high-end real estateBeautiful and inspiring Sheikhas of the UAE: Trailblazers redefining royaltySmriti Mandhana: 5 life lessons to learn from the ace Indian woman cricketerDiabetes and liver disease are tightly linked, study of over 9,000 Indian adult finds: Doctor answers critical questions on this hidden connectionThis island nation is Africa’s best-kept secret—and hardly anyone is visitingSridevi to Madhuri Dixit: Decoding the appeal of the sunset-hued saree and who truly owned itWorld Idli Day 2026: 8 traditional varieties of South Indian idlis that are perfect for breakfastWhat is micro-cheating? Therapist explains the two sides of ‘Flickering’ in relationshipsWhy this food is called ‘poor man’s protein’ and 9 ways to consume it in summer months123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stNFL Trade NewsCandace OwensAaron RodgersIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold Price PredictionDelhi DOE Results 2026RR vs CSKStrait of HormuzJEE Admit CardKharg IslandIndian Army Agniveer RecruitmentWhy Stock Market Crash TodayBank Holiday this weekKharg Island
SRINAGAR: While the Centre took all by surprise by announcing the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, there was one person in J&K who knew it beforehand, CM Omar Abdullah said in the assembly Monday, apologizing to the party chief whip, Mubarak Gul, for not heeding to his foreboding then.Omar made the statement while speaking on a bill Gul moved to enhance the salary of the chief whip on the lines of other states. While the CM rejected the bill, he praised Gul for political acumen.He said amid widespread uncertainty in J&K, politicians huddled to debate possible situations on August 3, 2019.“At that time, Mubarak Gul stood up and thumped the table, telling us that Article 370 and 35A would be abrogated, and J&K would be bifurcated and turned into an UT,” National Conference chairperson said, recalling he had dismissed Gul’s warning.“I told him if the Centre had to do it, they would do it around Lok Sabha polls to gain a few seats. Why would they do it four-and-a-half years before the election?” Omar said.“The meeting ended and we all went home,” Omar said, adding, “but on August 5, 2019, when our houses were locked and I saw the news on television, I could only think of Mubarak Gul.”The CM said he still does not know how Gul had foreseen the Modi govt’s plan. As Omar was speaking, MLAs looked towards Gul, hoping futilely he would reveal it. Instead, Gul stood up to announce the withdrawal of his bill.