‘Waiting for Cong letter to stake claim for Govt’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 10: National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah, is all set to become first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory after he was today unanimously elected as the Leader of its Legislative Party.
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Talking to reporters after the LP meeting at Nawai Subh, NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah said: “We all have unanimously chosen Omar Abdullah as the chairman of LP. He will be our leader. After meeting with the alliance, we will stake claim on Government formation.”
“There was a meeting of the NC’s Legislative Party which decided its leader. I am deeply grateful to the NC legislators for reposing faith in me, trusting me, and giving me the chance to go to Raj Bhavan and stake a claim to form the Government,” Omar told reporters soon after he was elected LPL of the NC.
The NC vice president said discussions with the Congress party for their letter of support are going on. “Talks are going on to get the letter of support from the Congress. Four Independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference,” he added.
After receiving the letter of support from the Congress, Omar intends to go to Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the Government.
He said four of the seven Independent MLAs have extended support to the NC, taking the party’s strength to 46. “Talks are on with the Congress. They have been given a day to decide. Once they give us a letter of support, I will stake claim for Government formation,” he added.
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Earlier, Omar told reporters that whenever a Government is formed in Jammu and Kashmir, it should pass a resolution and begin talks with the Union Government to restore the region’s Statehood.
“Once the Government is formed, it should pass a resolution and then engage in talks with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other Ministers in Delhi,” he said.
He further emphasised that they would make every effort to work harmoniously with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the benefit of the people. “We do not seek a major confrontation between the LG and the Government. Instead, we aim for peaceful cooperation and to work for the people until we regain our rightful status as a State. We hope to restore Statehood as soon as possible,” he added.
When asked about a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the NC alliance on their victory, Omar said: “The Prime Minister congratulated the National Conference, and I expressed my thanks. I also conveyed our desire for a cooperative and conducive atmosphere to work for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Omar said that the people have placed great trust in the NC, and with that trust, the party have secured many seats through the coalition. “Our responsibility now is to meet their expectations,” he added.
Omar assured that the future Government would work for all citizens, including those who voted for the BJP and those who abstained from voting. “We are not the type to seek revenge on those who didn’t vote for us. The upcoming Government will represent the Congress, the National Conference, the BJP, and even those who abstained from voting. In Srinagar, only 20 per cent voted-should we ignore the remaining 80 per cent? They too deserve the benefits of governance. Similarly, the people of Jammu, who voted for the BJP, also have the right to benefit from the Government,” he said.
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