Jammu: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday expressed dismay over the “autocratic style of governance” of the BJP led central government stating that where was the peace, development, transformation that was promised post Article 370 rollback in J-K.
He also said that if he is proven wrong, he will pack his bags and remain silent.
Omar is on week-long tour of Chenab Valley region comprising Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a rally in Bhaderwah, Omar said, “Where is peace, development and transformation in Jammu and Kashmir that was promised by the BJP government post Article 370 roll back in J-K. The situation is alarming. The unemployment has gone beyond control and the labour class is starving for want of jobs and the poor people who had been sustaining their livelihood on small chunk of land that was given to them by previous governments’ through Roshni Acts while following lawful procedures is being snatched from them in a dictatorial manner bringing them back under the open sky.”
As per local news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Omar said that National Conference is committed to fight for restoration of the special status and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir till the ultimate goal is achieved.
Asking people what change they have witnessed on the ground since August 2019, he said, “If you report any improvement, I’ll stay silent and I’ll not come again to seek votes for my party. Keep religion, caste, creed and regional politics aside and ask yourselves if there has been any improvement in our lives. If the answer is negative, we have to set the accounts straight at the time of voting,” he said, cautioning people to remain vigilant against polarisation attempts ahead of the polls.
He said if he was proven wrong on his claims, “he will pack his bags and remain silent.”
“National Conference is not fighting for its own interests but our struggle is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are fighting for the restoration of our rights for which we have been divested on August 5, 2019 and our firm resolve is to keep fighting till we attain our goal,” he thundered from the stage.
“Show me even a single developmental project that has been sanctioned by this government in Jammu and Kashmir, all the projects which are shown by the PM Narendera Modi led government were started during my regime,” Omar claimed.
“I want to ask Central government what has changed after abrogation of article 370 and 35-A and after consequent reorganization of J&K and downgrading the erstwhile state,” Omar said.
He questioned the BJP led central government to make the people understand about the new developmental works initiated by it, new projects started and new amenities provided to the people.
“Every promise that Modi government made has proved to be misleading as the situation has reached a stage where we have to knock every door for justice. The peace is nowhere to be seen,” he rued.
He also said that the law and order situation had further worsened post 5th August, 2019 and the bunkers which had been removed by his government owing to improvement and normalcy in the Valley have returned again amidst increase in govt force footprints. “This is an eye opener for everyone to understand that the decision Centre to scrap article 370 and bifurcate state to pave a way for the normalcy and peace was just to take communally motivated political mileage only out of it,” he added.
The former chief minister further alleged that the people were told lies and misled by false promises and slogans when the erstwhile state was downgraded. “We were told that Article 370 was an obstacle for industrialization, generation of employment opportunities for our youth and the main reason for poverty, and its removal would pave the way for development and new projects… it stands exposed today,” he said and questioned the claims that Article 370 was hollow, asking “then what was the need for its abrogation”.
He said attempts are being made to break the NC, which is not ready to compromise, paddle falsehood, betray people, raise false slogans and do politics on the basis of religion and region. “Conspiracies were being hatched against the party since its inception but they witnessed a spurt after August 2019. The party leadership was detained on immaterial charges for months and their only aim was to break the NC,” Omar said.
He said he was not in Bhadarwah to seek votes as the election bugle was yet to be sounded. “We need to remain cautious of the powers which are sowing seeds of hatred with the announcement of polls to divide people for political gains and this visit is to further make the party strong and boost our workers morale.”
“Bhadarwah do not have oil, gas or gold mines but God has bestowed it with mundane charm and natural attraction which we tried to exploit for the betterment of people… when there will be change in the government, we will refocus on it,” Omar noted adding much aspired Gandola service was to be started here like Patnitop and Mubarkmandi, but due to least interest shown by the present dispensation in this region has pushed it to the back burner”.
He said the situation is grim as anyone raising his voice against the “injustice” is being labelled as “anti-national”—(KNO)
