Muhammad Suhail
Srinagar, Jul 11 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused the Centre of failing to fulfil its commitment to restoring statehood and asserted that his government’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness or silence.
Addressing party workers at the National Conference’s ‘Madar-e-Meharban’ Day rally here, CM Omar, as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), said the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20 was a result of the Centre’s “compulsion” to ignore the elected government’s legitimate demands.
“I am the man who, after two and a half years of putting his political reputation at stake, told the Central government that we want to get our rights through dialogue, not confrontation,” CM Omar said.
Recalling his imprisonment in 1984, the Chief Minister said the party had always faced adversities with patience. “Patience is our strength. It is our voice. And, God willing, this patience will be our victory and success,” he said.
The Chief Minister also questioned the Centre’s willingness to engage with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir while denying similar dialogue with his government. “Why don’t you hold those talks with us? You removed Article 370 for one country, one law, but you are ready to give them 371. We want statehood, and your leaders say we will not get it,” he said.
CM Omar claimed he had raised the statehood issue in every meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “In every meeting, I am told it will happen at the right time. I ask them—just tell us, how will we recognise that right time?” he said.
The Chief Minister alleged that BJP operatives had attempted to poach his legislators. “A BJP lawyer and officer called one of my MLAs in Jammu and offered Rs 20-30 crore, a ministry, and a state if they joined them. They think people’s faith is so cheap,” he said.
CM Omar also criticised the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for overstepping its constitutional limits. “Why did you hold elections if you won’t let the government work? If you wanted to run J&K through Raj Bhawan, why did you bring us forward?” he asked.
The National Conference has called for a sit-in at Jantar Mantar on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, and has invited INDIA bloc leaders to join the protest.
The rally marks the death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan, the mother of NC president Farooq Abdullah, and is seen as a show of strength ahead of the Delhi protest. (KNS)
