Srinagar, June 21: J&K National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said it is a “bitter truth” that August 05, 2019 – the day the erstwhile State’s special status, Article 370 was abrogated – would not have been possible if his arty “had not been weakened”. He made these comments while addressing a special meeting of the party’s North Zone functionaries at Drang, Tangmarg in north Kashmir.
Party’s senior leadership, DDC members along with provincial-level office bearers and leaders of the North Zone attended the meeting, the NC said in a statement.
Omar on the occasion said, “When did the people of Delhi not try to weaken the National Conference, from 1953 until today, they have been continuously trying to find a way to destroy it. Despite millions of efforts and conspiracies, the National Conference and the symbol of the plough continues to remain embedded in the hearts of the people here.”
During the session, Omar Abdullah listened to all the participants and in his address at the end urged them to ensure the mass reach-out campaign reaches every house in their respective areas.
“It is unfortunate that the communication between the government and the people is nowhere to be seen in Jammu and Kashmir. Decisions are being taken without getting the real stakeholders on board. Whether it is regarding ration, installation of smart meters, increase in electricity fees or employment avenues, there is a crisis everywhere. The current rulers are only busy with pomp and shoddy PRs. The ground situation is contrary to what is being claimed,” he said.
The NC vice president added, “Where is the development? Where are those lakhs of jobs? crores were wasted to show off in the name of G20, it is not a hidden matter, one day a commission will be set up on this and it will be known who is responsible for wasting public money. No sooner had the G20 guests left, all the underway work on projects was left midway.”
On the delay in conducting the assembly elections, Omar said, “When the situation in Kashmir is apt for G20, why not assembly elections? When it is favourable for DDC, panchayat, local body and parliament elections, why not legislative Assembly elections? In reality, it’s the BJP which is finding the situation unfavourable for them. They know that an electoral rout is awaiting them therefore, assembly elections are not being held here. They are hiding behind the Election Commission like cowards.”
