SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he was not concerned about any attempt to poach members of his legislature party, asserting that he had “complete faith” in his MLAs amid speculation about the stability of his government.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Abdullah rejected suggestions that he was keeping a watch on his legislators over fears that some could switch sides.
“I am not at all afraid. I have complete faith in my people,” the Chief Minister said when asked whether he feared some of his MLAs could be “poached”.
Without naming those behind the speculation, Abdullah alleged that a few individuals were spreading such claims after failing to secure positions in his government.
He claimed that the individuals had approached his office soon after the government was formed seeking an “adjustment”, but he had declined to accommodate them.
“These are a couple of people who take their envelopes from the offices of the agencies of Gupkar Road,” Abdullah said, alleging that the same individuals were now fuelling speculation about his government.
The Chief Minister said he had refrained from identifying them publicly to protect their dignity, but alleged that the people now “counting MLAs” were among those he had refused to appoint.
Abdullah also criticised commentators using social media to target his administration, attributing their criticism to personal interests.
He alleged that some commentators had turned against the government after failing to secure government accommodation.
“If I had given them a flat in Jawahar Nagar, would they have dared to write like this?” he said, describing such conduct as “selfishness”.
Abdullah maintained that he was not worried by such criticism and reiterated that he had confidence in the members of his legislature party.
