Stop BJP from taking control of J&K Assembly: Omar urges people

Srinagar, Sept 18: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday cautioned people regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s alleged attempts to gain control of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly and cement the decisions made on August 5, 2019.
Addressing a series of public gatherings across the Ganderbal constituency, Omar urged the people to remain vigilant and resist any efforts to undermine their voice.
Later in the day, he addressed a public gathering at Ilahi Bagh, Soura, organised by the contesting candidate for Hazratbal, Salman Ali Sagar, the party said in a statement issued here.
The former chief minister questioned whether people wish to endorse the actions taken on August 05, 2019, or express their disapproval. “If you support the decisions, then vote for BJP. However, if you oppose the decisions, then you must vote against BJP and its allies. These upcoming elections hold immense importance as they will reflect the sentiments of Kashmiris towards the decisions that have threatened their identity,” he said. “Therefore, if you want to send a clear message to the world that the decisions were unacceptable, now is the time to act. Any misstep during this crucial period will only aid BJP in distorting the truth on a global scale.”
Abdullah said that despite the bold claims made by the BJP-led government regarding development in Kashmir, the residents of Ganderbal are still lacking basic facilities. The area has seen minimal progress in terms of development, with major and minor lift irrigation and drinking water schemes remaining incomplete, he said.
“School upgrades in the constituency have also been neglected. The fate of water supply, irrigation, and drainage schemes initiated by our government before 2014 remains uncertain. Many projects started by the NC government have been abandoned,” he said, “These elections are set to be a defining moment in the region’s turbulent history. This is a crucial opportunity for people to either reject or embrace those who have consistently let them down in various ways. Those who have broken the people’s trust cannot be relied upon again.”
The NC leader also asked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to provide a “transparent explanation” to the people regarding their involvement in bringing the BJP and RSS into Kashmir. “They must be held accountable for the events of 2016. They must also address their role in implementing the Food Security Act, GST and supporting the BJP on various legislations that undermine Muslim personal laws,” he said.