Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 31: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tonight said the Opposition could try to paralyze the budget session proceedings of the Legislature but it is duty of the Alliance Ministers and legislators to stay united, don’t overreact and highlight good governance to counter them (the Opposition).
Addressing joint meeting of PDP, BJP and People’s Conference Ministers, MLAs and MLCs at her official residence here over the dinner, two days ahead of start of the budget session of the Legislature, Mehbooba was reported to have told the Alliance leaders that the Opposition parties including National Conference and Congress could try to paralyze the House proceedings by raking up some issues, which have potential to polarize the political parties.
“However, it was duty of the Alliance partners to stay united and don’t overreact to the Opposition, which would serve their purpose. We shouldn’t fall prey to the Opposition and instead highlight our Agenda of good governance, development and pro-people measures,” she reportedly told the Alliance members.
Insiders said the Chief Minister was of the view that the Opposition seems determined to divert focus from the real issues and keep harping on the issues that had no significance. She said the Alliance partners should now focus on the issues of good governance and development that have taken place during past some months of the PDP-BJP coalition Government and thwart the Opposition designs by staying united.
The Chief Minister, who also happens to be the PDP president, called for frequent inter-actions between the Alliance partners during the Legislature session to devise their strategy regularly to counter the Opposition charges in both Houses.
“Our MLAs should highlight the constituency specific and real issues of the people to invite the Government attention so that issues of the people are addressed,” she reportedly said.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said that the Opposition could try to vitiate the atmosphere by trying to disrupt the House proceedings but it was duty of the Alliance partners to react cautiously. He added that the PDP-BJP were united and fully prepared to face the Opposition.
“We are ready to give replies to all issues raised by the Opposition but they must have patience to listen to them,” Dr Singh reportedly said in the meeting.
Sources said almost all Ministers, MLAs and MLCs of PDP, BJP and People’s Conference were present at the dinner meeting, barring those, who were out of station.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah has also called a joint meeting of the Opposition parties at National Conference headquarters-the Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan tomorrow evening. Apart from National Conference, the Congress will also attend the meeting. CPM MLA MY Tarigami and PDF MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin were also likely to join the Opposition meeting.
The meeting will be followed by the dinner to be hosted by Omar at his residence for the Opposition members, sources said.
The Opposition members would devise their strategy for both Houses of the Legislature, they added.
The budget session of the Legislature would start with Governor NN Vohra’s Address to joint session of the Legislature on January 2.
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