There should be no uncertainty over chief ministership: Omar

Ranjit Thakur

Doda, November 29

At a public meeting in Doda today, former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah said uncertainty over the issue of chief ministership was dangerous for the state.

Omar was on a four-day tour of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts to boost the morale of the party workers at the grass-roots level.

On his last day of the tour today, he said the failure of the PDP-BJP combine to fulfil its promises had led to a political deficit in Jammu and Kashmir —- one that could lead to a state of chaos, turmoil and uncertainty. Omar said, “If Mehbooba has to take over as the Chief Minister, we have no objections. But there should be no uncertainty. Uncertainty is poison for the state. Either takeover or not. Things should be made clear once and for all as the situation in the state is not very good.”

He also said both the PDP and the BJP had a one-point agenda to oppose the National Conference as it represented and articulated the political aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. 

“For achieving this common cause, a highly divisive campaign, based on inciting regional and religious passions, was unleashed in the two regions to benefit the BJP in Jammu and the PDP in the Valley,” he said, adding that both parties now stand exposed before the people.

While interacting with mediapersons here, Omar also defended his father’s statement, saying, “His remarks were not new. The Army has its own role. Guns can be used only to some extent to end militancy. But if we want to end militancy once and for all, political initiative is imperative.”

“Whatever the successes achieved to end militancy, it was in the tenure of the previous government from 2009 to 2014,” he added.

Omar also sought a clarification from the Central and the state governments over the allotment of the IIM and the IIT to the Jammu region and not to the Kashmir region. “If two AIIMS have been allotted to the state, why an IIM and an IIT for the Jammu region only?” he asked. He also demanded an IIT and an IIM for the Chenab and Pir Panjal regions. Provincial president of the NC Devender Singh Rana, former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra and party state vice-president Rattan Lal Gupta also spoke on the occasion.