Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: National Conference working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked PDP and BJP — which are holding back channel talks for Government formation in the State — if they would compromise on some of the key issues like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), resumption of talks with Pakistan and rights of West Pakistan refugees.
“Who will compromise over the immediate resumption of dialogue with separatists @jkpdp or @BJP4India?” Omar wrote in a series of tweets on micro-blogging site Twitter today.
Omar asked which of the two parties will compromise on the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State.
While BJP has been a strong votary of the controversial act, PDP has been calling for its revocation from the State. The NC during its six years long Government in the State had also strongly advocated for revocation of AFSPA from peaceful areas of Jammu and Kashmir but couldn’t convince the Defence Ministry and the Army.
The PDP and BJP, which emerged as the single largest and second largest party respectively in the State Assembly elections, are in back channel talks for forming the next Government in the State having already reached broad understanding to jointly contest four Rajya Sabha seats, the election for which was scheduled to be held on February 7.
Omar also asked if the BJP would compromise on the issue of ending dynastic rule in the State, which was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rallies ahead of the Assembly election.
“Who will compromise on the issue of dynastic rule raised by @narendramodi during campaigning @jkpdp or @BJP4India?” he asked
“Who will compromise on the issue of West Pakistan refugees @jkpdp or @BJP4India?” he further quizzed the two parties.
With elections for four Rajya Sabha seats of Jammu and Kashmir being held on February 7, Omar asked if the two parties will come together for this election. However, the tweet as written before PDP announced only two candidates for Rajya Sabha elections leaving two other seats for the BJP.
“Will be @jkpdp & @BJP4India set ideology & public commitments aside to come together for the Rajya Sabha elections in J&K now?” he asked.
Omar said he was reminded of a great man’s quip that “being in Government is hard work, being in the opposition much more fun.”
“I’m sure I’ll have more questions in the days and weeks ahead as we wait for a Government to be formed,” he said.
Omar said PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was proving his father and NC president Farooq Abdullah right.
“When Dr Farooq Abdullah said J&K can’t be governed without good relations with the Centre, he was heavily criticized. Mufti proving him right,” he said.
“Exactly a month since the election results were declared and the State is doing ‘kadam taal’ (march past) because Mufti Sayeed can’t govern without Delhi nod,” he added.
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