SRINAGAR: Expressing gratitude to the people for massive victory of National Conference in the Assembly elections held after a decade, the party vice president Omar Abdullah Tuesday said J&K cannot afford to have an antagonist relation with the Centre as both have to work closely to resolve peoples’ issues. He also said that the Government of India (GoI) must respect the mandate given by the people of J&K.
Talking to reporters at his Gupkar residence in Srinagar, Omar, who emerged victorious from Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly seats simultaneously, said: “I am thankful to people for coming out in large numbers in three phases to vote for NC. This mandate is against BJP’s policies against the people of J&K. This mandate is also against the parties who were in the field to weaken NC. The reality is despite getting support from the Centre, they are nowhere today.”
Omar said whosoever becomes Chief Minister of J&K will meet Prime Minister Narendera Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “We cannot have an antagonistic relation with the Centre. I hope the Centre respects the mandate given to us,” Omar said. “I hardly recall any speech of Honourable PM Modi where he stated that statehood to J&K would be restored only when BJP comes to power. I am using the word Honourable because I believe so. He (PM) has said that the Statehood will be restored after the polls.”
The NC vice president said he is of the belief that NC got votes from people who had never voted for the party. “Now it is our responsibility to come up to the expectations of the people of J&K,” he said. Omar visited Budgam and Ganderbal to thank people for ensuring his victory.
Asked about whether he would be the Chief Ministerial candidate, Omar said it would be the decision of the NC’s legislative party to take a call and select the CM. “We have to take alliance partner on board as well,” he said, adding that “let us celebrate the victory and in a next day or two, we will convene the legislative Party to discuss the future course of action,” he said.
About Jammu giving mandate to BJP, Omar said that the NC candidate defeated BJP’s chief Ravinder Raina. “We will ensure that Jammu people don’t feel they have no stakes in the new government. Have to ensure equality between the people of mountainous areas of Jammu and plains of Kashmir.
Omar said that he believes it won’t serve any purpose to LG to nominate five MLAs now as they have to simply sit in the opposition. “The practice has been that the elected government has been nominating members. This time, nominations should be from Jammu. Nominations should come from the elected government and LG must respect it,” Omar said.
Asked about his father’s role in NC’s grand victory, Omar said first it was the Almighty and then his father Dr Farooq Abdullah’s efforts that led to NC’s massive win. “Every mandate has my father’s signatures. He is our boss…,” Omar said.