NC to push for special status, statehood; adopts key resolutions
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Friday that the cabinet would address the issue of rationalising job reservations in its next meeting. However, he did not provide details regarding the date of the meeting.
“A cabinet meeting will be held. We were constrained by the fact that I did not want anybody to sabotage this by going to the Election Commission because of the (model) code of conduct. Now that the code of conduct is over, the elections are over, the concerned minister will present the memo in the next cabinet meeting, and we will discuss it then,” Abdullah told reporters here at the end of the two-day working committee meeting of his party, the National Conference (NC), Omar, flanked by his father and party president Farooq Abdullah and other senior colleagues.
He noted that the meeting coincided with the completion of one year since the party formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It has been more than a year since the government formation. So, the party’s working committee, which is the highest decision-making body of the party, deliberated over the political situation. Feedback was taken from the MLAs and party leaders. Many recommendations have been made, and all those will be implemented,” he said.
He said the meeting reviewed the party’s performance in the Budgam and Nagrota bypolls, both of which the NC lost. “Whatever gaps are there will be plugged by the party in the coming days,” he added.
The chief minister was asked why the NC’s Lok Sabha MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi was missing from the crucial working committee meeting. “We would not like to have such people who do not adhere to the discipline of the party and prefer to convey their feelings through the media”.
Asked about the installation of electricity metres becoming an issue for the government, the chief minister said the government wants the people to have good quality electricity at lower prices.
“It is a fact that if you pay bills honestly, a metre will give you a lower monthly electricity bill than a fixed rate. This is an established fact for poor houses. For richer people, it might be different,” he said.
Asserting that the installation of electricity metres was a must for fulfilling the party’s election promise of providing 200 units of electricity free every month, Abdullah said, “It is the only way that I can measure 200 units”.
“I am constrained at being unable to fulfil this promise because the percentage of metering is still far below 50 per cent, which means the majority of the people of J-K will not fall within the purview of the (free) 200 units,” he added.
To another question about the cabinet expansion, the chief minister said the NC president will discuss the issue with him and “whatever his direction will be, we will do that”.
Meanwhile, ruling National Conference on Friday passed a slew of resolutions at the end of the two-day working committee meeting, reaffirming “unwavering commitment” to restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir and demanding immediate restoration of statehood.
“The Working Committee unanimously reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs special status. The Committee reiterated that this issue is central to the aspirations and dignity of the people and must be addressed without further delay,” the first of the seven resolutions passed by the party read.
It said the party will continue its fight for the full restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. It also demanded immediate restoration of statehood.
The working committee also passed a resolution condemning the Delhi terror attack in which at least 15 people died, and scores of others were injured on November 10.
“The Working Committee expressed serious concern and unequivocally condemned the terror attack in Delhi. It extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a civilised society, violence has no place, and such heinous acts must be dealt with firmly and decisively,” the party said.
It also expressed concern over the accidental blast on November 14 inside Nowgam police station, which claimed at least nine lives.
“The Committee stated that the incident must be investigated at the highest level and responsibility fixed for any deviation from standard operating procedure,” the NC added.
The party also called for the protection and safety of people of J&K across India and expressed serious concern over the reports of harassment faced by students, traders, and residents of Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of recent events.
“Not every Kashmiri is a terrorist or a supporter of terror,” it added.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said terror attacks like Pahalgam and the Delhi blast will not occur again if statehood is restored, as the responsibility for security will rest with the elected government.
“Did attacks like those in Pahalgam or Delhi happen while we were responsible for security? I was the chief minister for six years. Did an attack like the one in Pahalgam take place? Or one like in Delhi? Hand over the responsibility to us, and then see what happens,” Abdullah said and added that “if we fail, then revoke statehood.” The CM also emphasised that he hasn’t lost hope on the restoration of statehood. “I believe that the Central government is not so much of a liar that it will betray its promise made in Parliament. Or else, the Centre should accept that it’s punishing the people of Jammu and Kashmir for not allowing the BJP to form the government here. If that is so, then let it be; we will bear that,” he added.
