Jammu, Mar 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday emphasised that his approach has evolved, but the core objective remains the same. He dismissed any notion of shifting political allegiances and asserted that he has only changed his tactics, not the game.
Opening his hour-long speech in Kashmiri, Abdullah invoked a popular phrase: “Wandi Tchali Sheen Gali Bei Ye Bahar” (The winter will pass, snow will melt, and spring will return). He said “some honourable members felt that I was too pessimistic in my previous speeches, especially while presenting the Budget, so today I started differently”.
In his speech winding up the discussion on the ‘demands for grants’ for his departments in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah made it clear that he is not someone who “starts one game and ends up playing another.” He confidently stated that while his approach may evolve, his goal remains consistent.
”Expressing confidence in the party’s success, he remarked, “We are not the ones who start elsewhere and end up playing a different game. We’ve come to play cricket, and with the blessings of Almighty, we will be victorious after our five-year term.”
Addressing the Assembly, Abdullah related his political strategy to a cricketer adjusting his tactics based on changing conditions. “The intelligent captain and player adapts to the situation and changes his tactics, not the game. I still wear the white cricketing uniform,” he said, drawing applause from the treasury benches. “I was bowling fast because Australian pitches support pace, but now I’m bowling spin because BCCI pitches are made for spin. The aim remains the same: to emerge victorious.”
Responding directly to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to abrogate Article 370 and bring Jammu and Kashmir at par with the rest of India, Abdullah questioned the reality of equality for the region. “Some things outside may change, but within the House, the verbal duels, ruckus, and allegations will persist,” he said.
He further stated that his party is not afraid to address tough issues head-on, asserting, “We never shy away from answering questions, unlike those who demand questionnaires before interviews or only meet their favourites. We are always ready for tough questions and straightforward answers.”
He criticised the opposition for repeating the same talking points. “The Leader of Opposition spoke about equality after the August 5 developments. I want to ask him: Does he truly believe this Assembly is on par with other assemblies across the country? Be honest and tell us, are we equal to our neighbouring states?” Abdullah challenged.
Turning to the ongoing claims about disrespecting Maharaja Hari Singh, he remarked, “When you have no real arguments, you resort to such allegations.” Referring to BJP leader R.S. Pathania’s accusations, Abdullah responded, “It was the BJP that altered the state’s map and changed the state subject laws that the Maharaja had enacted to protect Jammu from external investors.”
He reminded the opposition that the legal system before 2019 was governed by the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), named after Maharaja Ranbir Singh. “Pathania is a lawyer. Tell us, under which law did you practice before 2019? The RPC was the governing law, but now you no longer practice under it,” he said, prompting a retort from LoP Sharma, who quipped that Pathania is now practicing under “Bharat.”
Beyond political matters, Abdullah also touched upon critical issues, particularly economic development and urban infrastructure. He highlighted the challenges faced by local youth in securing employment and stressed the importance of equal opportunities across India. “If four people from Haryana can work here, then ensure the same opportunities exist for our people in Haryana, Himachal, and beyond. Setting up industries in Himachal is difficult due to strict local policies. In contrast, we have no such restrictions,” he said.
Abdullah also pointed out that urban infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir needs a mindset shift. “We built footpaths, yet people still walk on roads. We created cycle tracks, but motorcycles now occupy them,” he noted. He stressed the importance of planned residential townships to decongest cities and prevent urban decay, asserting, “We are not settling outsiders. When your government spoke of New Srinagar and New Jammu, no one objected. Our goal remains the same—to develop new residential areas.”
Addressing the issue of government accommodation, Abdullah acknowledged the shortage, with many MLAs and ministers forced to seek private housing or live below their entitlement. “There are individuals who exceed their entitlement, and some who have no entitlement yet refuse to vacate. We are working towards enforcing discipline in this regard,” he said. He also emphasised the need to revise MLA salaries which remained unchanged since 2015, and proposed forming a committee of political parties. He also proposed aligning the CDF guidelines with the MPLADS framework for better fund utilization.
In response to questions about government spending on chartered planes, the Chief Minister clarified that ₹15 crores had been spent over the past three years.
He expressed concern over the mismanagement of the state aircraft, criticising its prolonged neglect. “The plane, bought with taxpayers’ money, was left abandoned at Jammu Airport for five years, exposed to the elements. This was an unnecessary and avoidable waste,” he said. He also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the cost of restoring the aircraft to airworthy condition and emphasized the need for better management of public assets.
