Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 15: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said today that Pakistan should stop sending jehadis into Jammu and Kashmir if they really meant business or, otherwise, their proposal of talks (with India) as mooted by Punjab Chief Minister and Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharief’s brother, Shahwaz Sharief, would have no meaning.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Gold Course tournament at Sidhra this afternoon, Dr Abdullah said: “I hope Pakistan means business but they say something and do another. First of all, they should stop sending jehadis into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border. The day they (Pakistan leadership) do so, we will presume they are serious in their proposal of talks’’.
He was responding to a question on the talks between India and Pakistan proposed by Shahwaz Sharief during his visit to India. Sharief has also extended his brother (Nawaz Sharief’s) invite to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan.
“Talks with Pakistan have no meaning unless and until that country stops sending jehadis into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border. I hope if Pakistan means business, they would stop pushing jehadis first and then discuss the roadmap of talks with India (as proposed by Shahwaz Sharief,’’ Farooq said.
Replying to a question on whether the UPA Government had decided to pass Lokpal bill under the pressure of fasting Gandhian Anna Hazare, the Union Minister said the UPA Government wanted to pass the bill last year itself but the opportunities were not coming.
“The bill was supposed to be taken up for passage in Parliament tomorrow but unfortunately we lost Union Labour and Employment Minister (Sis Ram Ola) today. The Parliament may not take up work tomorrow (to pay tributes to Ola). But, definitely the bill would be taken up in the Parliament in the next working day for passage,’’ Farooq said.
Asserting that the bill would be passed in Parliament without discussion, Farooq said the people have wanted it for long and it will be brought.
“Yes, the (Lokpal) bill will be passed… without discussion,” Dr Abdullah said.
“People were wanting a Lokpal for a long. If there is a controlling mechanism, it is a good thing,” he said.
Asked if any amendments had been made, Farooq said: “if there is some amendment, then it will come back to Lok Sabha. There it will take place (will be passed).”
The Lokpal bill, in an amended form after consideration by the Select Committee, was brought back to the Rajya Sabha for consideration but there could not been any discussion on it due to opposition by Samajwadi Party members.
Dr Abdullah was all praise for AICC (I) vice president Rahul Gandhi for pushing for Lokpal bill yesterday.
“Rahul is going to change destiny of not only his party but that of the country,’’ he remarked. He didn’t think that the UPA Government was taking up the Lokpal bill in Parliament after defeat of the Congress in Lok Sabha.
“This is not the case. The UPA wanted to pass the Lokpal bill last year itself but the opportunities were not coming. This time definitely the bill is going to be passed in the next working day,’’ the Union Minister said.
Replying to another question on ‘Run for Unity’ organised today as a mark of respect to first Home Minister of India Sardar Patel, which was launched from Gujarat by BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendera Modi, Farooq said: “this man (Mr Modi) can’t keep the country united. He has altogether different thinking whole of his life. How can he change overnight’’?
Dr Abdullah, however, came down heavily on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal said he can never fulfill the promises he has made to the people of Delhi during just concluded Assembly elections in which his party got 28 seats and emerged as second largest party just three seats behind the BJP.
“He (Mr Kejriwal) has made a lot of promises to the people of Delhi. He can’t fulfill them. He will soon become zero from hero,’’ NC president remarked.
Replying to a question on National Conference Kashmir Headquarters ‘Nawa-I-Subh’ figuring among the list of defaulters of the Power Development Department (PDD) above Rs 10 lakh, Farooq didn’t rule out wrong billing by the Department.
“I think, there can be wrong billing. We should sort out the issue with the PDD and must pay the bill. We will definitely clear the bill after resolving the issue,’’ he added.
It may be mentioned here that the PDD had recently published a list of 148 defaulters of the Department, who owed over Rs 10 lakh as electricity arrears. The National Conference Headquarters was one of the defaulters. Farooq happened to be the NC president while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah holds portfolio of the PDD.
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