 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said all was "not well" with the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition and alleged that the state government had not kept its promises made to the people.
"There are differences in the (PDP-BJP) coalition, no body can deny that. If you need evidence, just look at chief minister's iftaar party in Delhi yesterday where no Central BJP leader was present," Omar told reporters after paying tribute to martyrs of 1931.
The working president of the opposition National Conference said if relations would have been smooth, somebody from the BJP would have been present at the official iftaar party of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
"Surprisingly, some senior Congress leaders, who have good relations with Mufti Sahib, were present. This shows how much strain there is in the coalition.”
"They (PDP and BJP) have come together for power and to deceive the people and to worsen the situation in this state," he added.
Omar also lashed out at Sayeed saying the restrictions in downtown city were evidence of how the chief minister was going about his 'Battle of Idea' slogan.
"Mufti Sayeed used to say it is battle of ideas and we saw it today. Entire downtown is under curfew and those whose ideas he used to talk about have been arrested. This is the situation every Friday. During my tenure, when we had to occasionally resort to such tactics, look at what Mehbooba Mufti used to say. Why is she silent today?" he asked.
Asked about absence of BJP ministers from official functions at Martyrs graveyard, Omar said "ask this question to PDP who opened doors for them (BJP) here. We had said this at the beginning that coming (to power) of BJP was dangerous for the state. If we had been power hungry, BJP was ready to join hands with us at the outset."
The National Conference leader said his party was aware of these dangers and decided not to go with the BJP.
"We were aware of these dangers.... They are talking about challenging the Article 35-A in the Supreme Court," he said.
Asked if there was a possibility of mid-term polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the PDP-BJP alliance will make all out efforts to complete the full term of six years.
"These people are so power hungry that they will make all out efforts to stay till the end of six year term," he said.
Reacting to media reports about Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to announce a mega development package for Jammu and Kashmir on his Eid eve visit to the valley, Omar said the Centre had not provided any relief to flood victims so far.
"There is talk about one lakh crore special economic package from the prime minister for the state ... but what was to be done has not been done, the flood victims have not been provided relief," he said.
"There has been no talk on revocation of AFSPA, no talk about reducing the footprints of the army, political dialogue has not started and those with whom talks should have been started are being arrested," he added.
Omar said the apparent aim of the mega package seems to buy over the loyalties of Kashmiris.
"And they think by bringing in one lakh crore, they will win over hearts of the people. Just like they did during the time of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.
"Sher-e-kashmir (Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) was arrested and lots of funds were given to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, thinking that Kashmiris will sell their values and honour. Kashmiris did not sell their honour then and will not do it now," he added.