“Governor taking decisions of elected Govt”
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 30: Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah, today said that the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir should be held as soon as possible because the Governor is taking some decisions which otherwise should be taken by the elected Governments only.
Speaking to reporters at Handwara Omar said that the Assembly elections and parliament elections should be held around the same time and there is no point in delaying it. “Even the Supreme Court has made the similar observations about the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. But it is now upto Modi Sahab when he takes a call on the elections,” he said.
The former Chief Minister blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for worsening situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti joined hands with BJP to save her party from dispersing. “Mehbooba didn’t join hands with BJP for the safety of Kashmiris or for returning of power projects. She joined hands with BJP to save her party from divisions. Now two years later you are seeing how her party is falling like a pack of cards,” he added.
The former Chief Minister opposed the proposed handing over of Rattle power project to NHPC, saying that the sell-out of a viable power project will have long term negative implications on economic growth of the State.
Later, addressing workers and party functionaries at a one day Block Convention in Khanyar, Omar Abdullah said: “The proposed move of the Governor administration to hand Rattle power project to NHPC will undermine the economic interests of the State. The project can exclusively be run by the State effectively.”
“Not even a single megawatt of electricity was added to the energy sector of State by the former BJP-PDP Government. On the contrary, due to their imprudent policies, the State lost its financial autonomy and suffered immensely across different sectors. The incumbent Governor administration, unfortunately, is following suit and has reportedly initiated measures to hand over projects under state control like Rattle power project to outside agencies,” he said.
Cautioning the Governor administration against the proposed move he said: “Any such sellout will inevitably cause immense damage to the State. Governor must rethink this decision and issue necessary directions to concerned to put a stop to any such move.”
“Once in power, we will ensure that all the measures initiated by the Governor administration which are detrimental to state’s interests and its identity are revoked”, Omar said.
He said that his party would safeguard and protect Article 35A and Article 370 against all machinations. “We will continue our fight against those who are conspiring to attack our identity and special status. Ever since PDP- BJP alliance came into being, there have been innumerable attacks to weaken State’s interests and its political identity. Even today there are forces in various forms who are hell bent to destroy our special status but we will not let them win,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said that the party is alive to the difficulties of the people of Srinagar in particular the people of the city. “The urban environment of Srinagar is fraught with problems ranging from traffic congestion, housing problems, slum growth and gross unemployment. The need of the hour is to have an inclusive development policy wherein development and preservation of ecology go hand in hand,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
