‘NC supports ST status to Paharis without snatching rights of Gujjars’
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 7: Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah today said that the talks with the Congress-led INDIA bloc will be held only on three Lok Sabha seats won by the BJP in the last elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“There has been no talks on seat-sharing within the INDIA bloc so far. Congress is interested for dialogue. In the coming days, there will be a discussion, especially about the three seats- Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh, which are with the BJP,” Omar Abdullah told media-persons here today.
Omar said NC has also fought elections from Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh constituencies in the past.
“We have won Jammu seat once and Ladakh more than once. We will sit and discuss which formula we should adopt so that we are able to get back the seats which are with BJP at present,” he added.
The National Conference which had won all the three Parliamentary seats from Kashmir– Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag during 2019 elections, Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is also a part of INDIA bloc from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
While responding to a question, Omar said, “The seats won by NC in 2019 are INDIA bloc seats. What do I have to talk about with the INDIA bloc on these seats? The fight is not within the INDIA bloc. The fight is to take those seats back which are with the BJP. Since three seats are with the INDIA bloc, I do not need to discuss those with them,” the NC leader clarified.
“Why are you worried about the larger interest? Are you talking over such seats in any other state which are already with the INDIA bloc? The INDIA bloc has three seats, leave them. We will talk on the three seats which are with the BJP,” Omar asserted.
Responding to a question on the possibility of holding Parliamentary and Assembly elections simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said, “BJP has no courage to hold Assembly elections in J&K. They cannot face the public despite doing many things like abrogation of Article 370, redrawing the boundaries of constituencies as per their wishes through delimitation, changing all laws and reservation set up, Ram Mandir construction and so on. ”
Referring to the BJP’s claims of improved situation and massive development in J&K, he said the situation in Rajouri and Poonch is known to everyone. “I was not allowed to go there today. If the situation is good, what is the reason for placing restrictions on my programme? There is a difference between what is said and actually done. I have not seen such type of terror attacks in the two districts. How many of our brave soldiers lost their lives there in the past one year.
“In Kashmir, the last two years witnessed selective targeting of minorities. They are saying that militancy has come down but we do not see this on the ground,” he added.
He said barring law and order situation in 2010, the situation during his rule especially in 2011, 2012 and 2013 were far better and people still remember that period.
“I want to ask them, who are talking about improvement in the situation, to show us its impact on the ground. Is there any improvement in the supply of electricity and water to the consumers, creation of employment opportunities for the youth, improved health sector or any new college, university or industry opened?” he asked.
Omar said the gates of his house in Jammu were locked by the police and he was escorted to his office like a “criminal” to stop him from visiting Sunderbani rally in Rajouri district.
Launching a scathing attack on BJP and LG’s administration, the former Chief Minister said, “This has not happened for the first time.” ” As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, I am sure such curbs will witness a spurt,” he added.
Omar claimed that the gates of his house had been locked since this morning on the pretext of a law and order situation.
“I have taken pictures because I know the police will later deny placing curbs on me,” he added.
The National Conference leader said that he was planning to visit the Sunderbani in Rajouri to take part in a party rally but was denied permission.
“Even the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) accompanied me to the party office like a criminal is being escorted. This is for the first time that the SDPO accompanied me from my house to the office to personally see that my vehicle does not take any other turn,” he added.
“The people like us who are not Government stooges or not involved in BJP flattering face such types of curbs. We are now accustomed to such things,” Omar regretted.
Responding to a question that he was denied permission as the authorities were apprehensive that his visit might flare up situation due to tension between the Gujjars and the Paharis after the later were included in the Scheduled Tribes, Omar quipped, “that means the Government is weak and I can disturb the situation all alone”.
“I am feeling proud that I have become so powerful that the Government is afraid of me that they need to lock to keep me at home. It is good they are praising me, I have never thought myself so powerful but now I have to rethink it,” he stated.
The National Conference leader said the Government’s action shows that it has no power, ability and courage.
“It is better for them to leave the Government and hand over the power to us who have command over the people and who can provoke or silence the people for the overall betterment of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar added.
Omar said that National Conference never opposed ST status to Paharis. His party has always supported the demand of Schedule Tribe status to the Pahari speaking people.
“We have done no discrimination during our rule. We passed a Pahari Reservation Bill in the Assembly and the then Governor gave his nod to it. We tried to implement the reservation, but we lost the election and the new government did not pay any heed towards it,” Omar said.
“If you go back, the demand for ST status for Paharis was raised by NC president Farooq Abdullah during his Government when Gujjars were given the status by the Central Government under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. Farooq was asked for a recommendation and without wasting any time, he convened his cabinet and a letter was sent to the then Prime Minister,” he added.
Asserting the National Conference whenever in power followed the issue with sincerity, Abdullah said, “We have always been in support of ST status to Paharis without snatching the rights of the Gujjars whose quota should not be impacted.”
“Lt Governor administration and the Central Government should take Gujjars into confidence and make them understand how their share of the quota will be protected. They have concerns which need to be addressed,” Omar asserted.
Earlier, addressing public rally telephonically in Sunderbani Omar sought clarification on the implementation of ST status to Paharis. He said the people of J&K won’t allow BJP to succeed in its designs to divide the regions on ethnic and religious lines.
“I welcome the grant of ST status to Paharis but this should not affect the rights of Gujjars and Bakerwals. The Government is silent on this issue. They should clarify it,” Omar added.
Senior party leaders Javed Rana, Rattan Lal Gupta, Aijaz Jan, Nseem Liaqat, Yashu Vardhan and others also addressed the gathering.
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