Omar defends NC’s Delhi protest, says statehood first step towards restoring J&K’s rights
‘Opposition parties trying to divert the issue by insisting on Article 370’
KINS Correspondent
Srinagar, July 21 (KINS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended the National Conference’s Monday protest in New Delhi, saying the party’s primary objective was to remind the Centre of its promise to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, while accusing opposition parties of trying to divert the issue by insisting on Article 370.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Omar said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had earlier passed a resolution seeking the restoration of autonomy, but it was opposed by groups advocating “Aazadi”, who alleged that the resolution had weakened their movement. He said the Centre was also unhappy with the autonomy resolution and subsequently encouraged the formation of another political party in 2000, in an apparent reference to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to weaken the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We went to Delhi to remind the Centre of the promises it made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We invited all political parties to join the protest, but while they chose not to participate, they instead attempted to undermine our intentions,” Omar said.
He expressed disappointment that some parties criticised the National Conference for not raising the issue of Article 370 during the protest.
“When have we ever stopped talking about Article 370? We have consistently spoken about it. We never joined hands with the BJP,” he said.
Questioning the opposition’s stand, Omar asked, “What is the meaning of Article 370 without special status?” He said that under the present Union Territory arrangement, major powers rest with the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor.
The Chief Minister said the newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had already passed a resolution seeking the restoration of the region’s special rights and asserted that the National Conference would continue its struggle to ensure the Centre fulfilled its commitments.
He also criticised opposition parties for staying away from the Delhi protest, alleging that they wanted to avoid upsetting the BJP and instead chose to criticise the NC on social media.
Omar said the participation of National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah in the protest, despite being 90 years old, reflected the party’s commitment to the cause. “We did not take anyone to Delhi. Everyone participated on their own,” he said.
Responding to a question on waterlogging in Srinagar, Omar said those responsible for implementing the Smart City project should answer questions about its execution.
“Ask those who implemented the Smart City project. Where did all the money go except for the beautification of the Jhelum?” he said.
On the demand for Article 370, Omar argued that repeatedly asking the BJP-led Centre for its restoration would only provide an excuse to delay the restoration of statehood.
“The BJP is not going to restore Article 370. If we make that our immediate demand, it will become an excuse for them not to restore statehood. We will continue to fight to remind the Centre of every promise it made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. (KINS)
