SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday urged party workers not to be discouraged, assuring them that all efforts will be made to regain what has been taken from the people.
“We are a Union Territory, but don’t be annoyed. We will get back what has been snatched from us,” Omar said while addressing party workers in Jammu.
His statement comes amid criticism from various quarters that the National Conference (NC) has backed away from its core demand of restoring special status.
Omar noted that, in the past, Jammu and Kashmir had deputy chief ministers from other parties, but for the first time, a deputy chief minister has been chosen from the Jammu region. “This is a response to those who used to accuse us of being a party of dynasts. What will they say today? Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has no relation with me or my family,” Omar said. “Appointing the Deputy CM was not a compulsion for me. My only aim was to send a message to the people of Jammu that they have an equal share in the government, just like Kashmir. Today, we have a Chief Minister and a Deputy Chief Minister from the same party. This is a reply to those who claimed that NC is a party for Muslims.”
Omar also mentioned that Congress has yet to decide if it wants a share in the council of ministers.
He added that NC could have possibly won more seats, and expressed gratitude to independent candidates who immediately extended their support to the NC. He further said that even before the election results were declared, people started speculating that Jammu would face injustice with no representation in the government. “From day one, I have maintained that I will include the people of Jammu so they don’t feel excluded from the government,” he said.
Omar criticised the delimitation process. He said it was done to benefit one particular party, and said that reservation was another tactic aimed at ensuring victory for that party. “But the results are in front of you. These moves failed. The steps taken by the BJP brought them to the elections, but they couldn’t win the elections,” he said.
He emphasised that while winning the elections was an achievement, the real challenge begins now. “We have to minimise the people’s miseries and reduce the gap between the people and the government,” Omar said. “We must serve the people and resolve their issues.”
Omar reflected on the past eight years, stating that numerous attempts were made to remove NC from the political scene. “But our workers and leaders stood firm and defeated all attempts. NC is not just a party of leaders but of a committed cadre, as proven in the recent elections,” he said. The Chief Minister stressed that the government will not act based on vote share but will aim to keep the party united.
He added that instructions have been issued to officers in Panchayats and District Development Councils (DDCs) to review areas where feedback from the people was not taken into account.
Omar also shared his personal experience of losing the Lok Sabha elections, admitting that at the time, he felt it was difficult to rise again. “But nature has its own ways. Many officers and friends must have thought, ‘Khatam, Maklou, it’s over for Omar.’ But today, the same people greet me in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Many ask if I’ve had lunch. Many now text me, ‘Good night, have a nice sleep.’ This is the Almighty’s way of doing things,” Omar said. “But we should not be arrogant about winning the elections. Just as the people have given us this opportunity, they can punish us tomorrow.”
Omar also reached out to the media fraternity, assuring them that no iron-fist policy will be applied to the media in Jammu and Kashmir. “I will not punish you for writing against me. I will ensure that the media remains free and works in a free and fearless environment. I am aware that many journalists were not given accreditation or press cards. I will gradually resolve this discrepancy,” he said.
He urged journalists to highlight the government’s mistakes, but also to report on the good work done by the NC government. (KNO)
