Jammu , Oct 19 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rejected the label of the National Conference as a ‘Muslim party’ on Saturday, emphasizing that his party has appointed a Hindu Deputy Chief Minister from Jammu. He also refuted accusations that the National Conference is a Kashmir-centric party, asserting that his government will serve all the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing party workers in Jammu for the first time after becoming CM, Abdullah stated, “We have appointed a Deputy CM from our own party. In the last election, everyone claimed that the National Conference is a party for Muslims, an organization for Kashmiris with no place for Jammu. But we have appointed a Deputy CM who is from Jammu and is Hindu. What will they say now?”
He added, “As soon as the election results were announced, some well-wishers started spreading rumors that Jammu would now be neglected because they did not choose NC or Congress candidates. From day one, I have said that this government will be for everyone. If we serve, we will serve all the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar emphasized.
The NC-Congress alliance won the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections for the first time after a 10-year hiatus and the abrogation of Article 370. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won 42 seats, while Congress secured six. The BJP performed well, winning 29 seats, all from the Jammu region. The People’s Democratic Party won three seats, and the People’s Conference, CPI-M, and AAP each won one seat. Seven seats were won by independent candidates. Omar Abdullah took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Surinder Kumar Choudhary, who won from the Nowshera assembly seat, took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister further stated that efforts have been made not just to weaken the party over the last 8-10 years, but to “completely destroy” it. He said, “Every possible method was used against us. Our associates were threatened, intimidated, and some were lured, but the party leaders remained steadfast and did not allow these conspiracies to succeed. Everyone has proven that this organization belongs not to the leaders of the National Conference, but to the party workers.”
CM Abdullah also mentioned that he draws strength not from top leadership, but first from Allah, God, and Waheguru, and then from the people of Jammu and Kashmir and party workers. He noted, “This organization has faced every kind of storm. No one could have imagined that this would be the result after the elections. I salute the people for how they used their votes.” He also praised the independent candidates who joined the government led by Omar Abdullah without any conditions.
In Jammu, CM Abdullah said, “The independent MLAs who won joined us unconditionally. They only said that the problems of the people need to be addressed. Since the dissolution of the elected government in 2018, people have faced only difficulties and hardships. Today, I want to assure the people here that your voices will now be heard. Your voice will no longer be lost in the darkness.”
