‘Chrysanthemum garden to extend tourist season in Valley’
Srinagar, Oct 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that while there should be no complaints about the National Conference (NC) securing a 3-1 victory against the BJP in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections, his party faced “betrayal” from some quarters during the polling process.
The ruling NC won three seats, while the BJP managed to secure one in the first Rajya Sabha elections conducted in Jammu and Kashmir since it became a Union Territory in 2019.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a chrysanthemum garden in Srinagar, Abdullah said some non-BJP legislators supported the saffron party but lacked the courage to acknowledge it publicly. “No one should have complaints about the 3-1 result. We tried our best to make it 4-0, but as I said in my X post, we faced betrayal from some quarters at the last moment. Almost everyone now knows the names of those who betrayed us. It was regretful,” he said.
The chief minister, however, expressed satisfaction that all NC votes remained intact and went to party candidates. “I thank all those who voted in favour of the NC, especially the Congress and other colleagues. I regret those who betrayed us at the last moment. But I am satisfied that not a single NC vote went elsewhere. All our voters showed their polling slips to our chief agent, and not a single vote was wasted,” he said.
Asked about non-BJP MLAs voting for the BJP, Abdullah remarked that those legislators should show the courage to admit their stance openly. “The way the Handwara MLA (Sajad Lone) did. He didn’t want to vote against the BJP and openly boycotted the elections. But those who secretly helped the BJP should have the courage to state openly that they voted for the party or invalidated their votes to benefit it,” he said.
On whether he would thank the PDP for its support, Abdullah said he was grateful to “whoever voted for the NC and worked hard for the success of its candidates.”
He added that NC MPs would raise key issues in Parliament, including the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, special status, and constitutional guarantees. “Our MPs will talk about every issue that concerns the people of J-K, including the resolution passed in the Assembly on special status,” he said.
Referring to the newly inaugurated chrysanthemum garden, Abdullah said it would help extend the tourist season in the Valley. “Our endeavour has always been to expand the tourism season. The Tulip Garden advanced it, and this garden will extend it further. Just as we created Asia’s largest Tulip Garden, we aim to make this one a major attraction too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood (Chrysanthemum Theme Garden) at the picturesque Botanical Garden in Srinagar, marking a new milestone in the Valley’s tourism and floriculture landscape.
Developed at a cost of ₹1.869 crore, the Chrysanthemum Theme Garden spans over 100 kanals and is envisioned as a major autumn attraction in Kashmir. With its vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, red, pink, and purple, the garden promises to infuse new color and charm into the Valley’s tourism calendar during the autumn months.
The Chief Minister cut the ceremonial ribbon and declared the garden open to the public, describing it as “a floral celebration that adds a new chapter to Kashmir’s tourism story.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister commended the efforts of the Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens for its role in establishing the theme garden.
He noted that the initiative would “address the off-season gap in tourism and enhance the autumn experience for visitors.”
Omar Abdullah recalled that he had laid the foundation stone of Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood in November last year, drawing parallels with the success of the Tulip Garden. “Just as the Tulip Garden transformed the spring tourist season, the Chrysanthemum Garden will redefine autumn tourism in Kashmir,” he remarked.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition featuring a wide range of ornamental, lavender, and other floral varieties cultivated by local growers with departmental support. He interacted with the floriculturists and appreciated the dedication and craftsmanship of the gardeners and field staff whose efforts brought the blooms to life.
The event was attended by MLA Zadibal Tanveer Sadiq, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture Zubair Ahmed, Secretary Culture, Director Floriculture Kashmir and other senior officials.
