SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the bonhomie between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still intact in Jammu and Kashmir. He also asked people not to install smart meters if they are reluctant, but added that they would not be able to avail of the benefit of 200 free units as promised in the manifesto.
Addressing a roadshow in Budgam, CM Omar said that the opposition has turned to politicising electricity. “I can stand here and say that I inherited these electricity meters. I did, but the truth is that I did not stop the practice of installing them as metering reduces electricity bills, and we had promised 200 free units to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in our manifesto,” he said.
“But without a meter, we cannot determine the electricity bill. This is the truth. We cannot provide 200 units of free electricity through an agreement. Free electricity can only be provided where a meter is installed, and through the meter, we know how much electricity is being used. If you do not want a meter, do not install it. Your electricity bill will be per agreement. But if you want 200 units free, that is our firm promise,” he said.
Omar said that all forces are out to defeat the National Conference and Agha Mahmood. “Our only fault is that we remained true to the foundation on which we sought votes a year ago. In the 2014 elections, PDP sought votes to keep the BJP out of power. They told you that voting for the PDP was essential to keep the BJP out. You cast aside the National Conference and gave your votes to the PDP. And what was the result after the elections? By bringing the BJP to power, these same people began to erode Jammu and Kashmir. We too sought your votes last year on the same basis. Did we join hands with the BJP after that? No, that is the difference between the PDP and the National Conference. Of course, despite the fact that we are occasionally punished for that decision. It is a fact that if the BJP were in power today, they might have granted Jammu and Kashmir statehood. But we are not willing to make that deal.”
He also stated that the relationship between the PDP and the BJP is still intact and asked people to question the party (PDP) about not fielding any candidate in the Nagrota by-election.
He said that he would thank the people of Budgam by giving them a university, similar to what he did in Ganderbal.
Moreover, the Chief Minister said that he is in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and is planning a cricket stadium and academy for Jammu and Kashmir.
“In Jammu, it would come up in Kathua and, God willing, we will get it. And here, the cricket academy will be established in Budgam,” he said. (KNO)
