Srinagar, Oct 30 : Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that from Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Dr. Farooq Abdullah and now himself, the NC has always sent its strongest and most seasoned leaders to Delhi to represent Jammu and Kashmir but some of them “got affected by Delhi’s pollution” and failed to live up to expectations.
Addressing a public gathering in Hamdwara as Per KNS Correspondent , Omar said the party’s consistent effort has been to ensure that J&K’s voice is heard at the highest level.
“From Sheikh Sahib to Dr. Farooq Sahib and now to me, our party has always sent our colleagues to Delhi so that they can represent our people. But some of them, after going there, got affected by Delhi’s pollution,” Omar said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience while hinting that some past leaders lost touch with their roots.
He said the National Conference has a long history of sending stalwarts and credible voices to Delhi, but not all of them remained as connected to the people as expected.
“We have sent many seasoned leaders to Delhi, but a few of them got impacted by Delhi’s pollution, and their voice was no longer heard,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the newly elected three Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir would carry forward the legacy of representing the people with honesty and conviction.
“I hope that the three Rajya Sabha members we have sent this time will truly raise the voice of our people and ensure that Jammu and Kashmir’s concerns are heard where decisions are made,” he said.
Omar said that his party stands firm on the promises it made to the people and will fulfill each of them in due course of time.
He added that the party’s decisions are driven by loyalty, competence, and public service not favoritism or political expediency.
“We are a promise-making party. On the basis of these promises, this government was formed. We fought the elections in September and October last year, and God willing, we will fulfill all those promises.”
The Chief Minister was speaking at a felicitation event for senior NC leader Chaudhry Mohammad Ramzan, who was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha.
Praising Ramzan’s long-standing commitment to the party and his people, Omar Abdullah said his selection was based purely on merit.
“There are many capable people in our party,” Omar said, “but Chaudhry Mohammad Ramzan was chosen because of his capability, seniority, close relationship with the people, and unshakable loyalty to the National Conference. Whether he wins or loses an election, he has always worked with the people and for the party.”
He said that Ramzan’s perseverance, humility, and political wisdom have earned him respect across political lines. “If we had not sent Chaudhry Mohammad Ramzan Sahib to the Rajya Sabha, it would have been unfair to him, to our workers, and to the people of Handwara,” Omar said.
Referring to the delimitation process, Omar Abdullah said that Handwara was among the constituencies most adversely affected, with around 20,000 votes cut off from Ramzan’s previous strongholds. “Even after such a major cut, he lost by only 600 votes,” he said. “If just 300 more votes had been in his favor, he would have been the MLA perhaps even a minister in my government.”
The Chief Minister said the decision to nominate Chaudhry Ramzan to the Rajya Sabha was both a recognition of his service and a message to the cadre that the party values dedication. “When a person like Chaudhry Sahib continues to serve selflessly despite challenges, it is our duty to honor that loyalty,” Omar said as per KNS.
Omar also said that the NC leadership believes in representation, education, and empowerment of the youth. “Our children are now entering medicine and other professional fields. But this will only be possible if they are represented properly by you, by your votes and your trust,” he told the audience.
Reiterating his faith in collective effort, Omar urged party workers to stay united and proactive. “We take tough and timely decisions because we are responsible to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “We do not shy away from challenges, we face them with resolve.”
Concluding his speech, Omar said the NC government is working consistently to translate its commitments into action. “Our focus is not on slogans but on substance,” he said. “Every promise we made from governance to development will be honored. That is the foundation on which the National Conference stands.”(KNS)
