Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: Hitting back at Congress president Sonia Gandhi for criticising the NC-led Government for not implementing Food Security Bill in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the scheme would have resulted in loss to the people.
“J&K is only State, where the implementation of Food security bill, would have resulted in loss to the people rather than benefit,” Omar told reporters here.
“I therefore proudly say that I did not allow Food Security Bill to implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and will not allow it in future until people are benefited from it rather than loss,” he said.
“Unfortunately, (Congress leader) Ghulam Nabi Azad himself knew it well. Azad along with one State Minister talked to CAPD Minister but he could not help out to resolve the issue,” he said.
Hitting out at her party’s estranged ally National Conference (NC) for the first time in six years, Sonia Gandhi had said that despite extending support to the NC Government, the party had failed to implement “our programmes and schemes”, including the Food Bill, in the State.
Claiming that the people of Kashmir have refused to buy the “false promises of BJP and rejected its doublespeak”, Omar said the saffron outfit will not be able to win even a single seat in the Valley.
“BJP will not get even a single seat from the Kashmir Valley. How can they form the Government in the State?” said Omar.
He said the people of the Valley have refused to buy the “false promises of BJP and rejected its doublespeak”.
He was asked about BJP’s ‘Mission 44+’ to form the Government in the State for the first time.
“When this is the ground reality, the people of Jammu have to exhibit wisdom to support local party National Conference and its candidates so that it can form the Government and carry forward its agenda of inclusive and holistic development, besides ensuring peace and tranquillity in the State,” he added.
Accusing the alliance partner, Congress, of putting “hurdles” in implementing major public welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today appealed the people to “exhibit wisdom” and support the “local party” for development.
Omar termed the coalition partner an “opportunistic party” and accused it of changing stand in a period of six months.
“It is surprising that Congress, which was full of praises for National Conference when it campaigned for Congress candidates in Lok Sabha polls, has suddenly started blaming NC in Assembly polls for petty vote bank politics,” Omar said while addressing an election rally in favour of NC candidate here today.
Omar accused Congress of putting hurdles in implementing major public welfare measures in the State particularly the decision relating to creation of new Administrative Units.
Omar, who is also the working president of NC, appealed the people to vote in large numbers for NC.
He said that NC was the only party which represents the aspirations of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions as also those of the sub-regions and all sections of the society.
The Chief Minister said that NC has never deceived people and will never deceive them in future for vote bank politics.
“Our motto and agenda is for permanent peace, political stability, prosperity, economic development and welfare of youth, women, work force, farmers and other sections of the society,” he said.
The Chief Minister listed the major achievements of his Government registered during the last six years. He said that empowerment of people, establishment of Panchayat Raj, creation of new Administrative Units, enactment of Public Services Guarantee Act and State Right to Information Act besides other historic decisions aimed at upliftment of farmers, horticulturists, poorer sections of the society and welfare of youth and women goes to the credit to his Government.
Omar said that in Basohli alone road construction schemes involving over Rs. 100 crore have been launched besides augmenting supply of drinking water, upgraduing health and education sectors in the area.
He said that Congress during its tenure of Government failed to recognize the genuine demand of district to Basohli and deprived the people of this area while announcing new districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said that NC is confident that Basohli deserved the status of Hill District and if it returns to power it will grant two districts to Jammu Division – one for Basohli and other for Nowshera-Kalakote.
On reaching Basohli, Omar was accorded rousing reception.
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