National Conference assures J&K embracing govt.
Just after the win of a majority by the National Conference- Congress alliance in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, National Conference vice- president Omar Abdullah said that the new government will be embracing for all no matter who voted for the alliance or who didn’t.
Abdullah, who is expected to be the new chief minister, stated that a legislative party meeting of the National Conference will be conducted on Thursday which would be followed by talks with allies, the Congress and CPI(M), to decide for the leader of the alliance and government formation.
He stated in front of the reporters in Srinagar that there will be subsequently an alliance meeting which is going to decide on the alliance. The leader of the alliance will assume the letters of support and go to Raj Bhawan.
On Wednesday, Bharat Solanki, AICC in- charge of Jammu and Kashmir ang Tariq Hameed Karra, J&K Congress chief met Farooq and Omar Abdullah at their Gupkar residence in Srinagar.
Karra stated that they came to congratulate the father- son duo and there was no discussion related to government formation yet. The discussion will take place in the legislative party meeting and then they will have a word with the alliance partners and discuss letters of support and regarding other things.
Picture credit: Hindustan Times
On Tuesday the election results gave a huge lead to the NC with 42 seats and six to its alliance partner, the Congress, in the 90- member assembly. The BJP emerged to be the dominant one in the Jammu region with 29 seats.
This was to be the first elected government after 2018 when governor’s rule was applied in J&K after the BJP took back its support from then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. This is also gonna be the first elected government post- abrogation of Article 370 and delimitation of seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq Abdullah has already passed on a hint that Omar will be the next chief minister. But Omar stated that the decision will be taken by the alliance. He said that this is a decision that the legislators and alliance are supposed to make. He expressed hi love for his father and he is very grateful for his support but the final decision will in the hands of the legislators and he considers himself as someone who does his things with the rules and by the book.
Ownership for Jammu
Abdullah restated that the fresh government will be for everybody. He said that he is aware of the fact that there is a sharp divide between Kashmir and Jammu. Therefore, the government which is coming will have a major responsibility of providing a sense of ownership to the public of Jammu. The government that enters in the next few days will not be the government of NC, neither the alliance nor for the once who has voted for them. It will be a government of every single individual of J&K irrespective of who they voted for or whether they voted at all.
He further emphasized that the main importance will be applied to the sense of ownership and a voice within the government to those areas from where MLAs in this coalition will be less in number.
Omar stated that he was very much grateful by people’s verdict and is aware of the responsibility that this mandate places on him. He stated that the public of J&K have voted and made their voices clear. They are in need of the governance, feel of the decision process and it is our duty to carry them up. The public of J&K have gone unheard since 2018.
Statehood priority restored
He stated that the fresh government will work on two fronts.
He said that whichever CM is onboard in the next few days, there will be two sets of priorities, one is legislative that will be taken care of by the members of legislative assembly when the session is called and the other is government related.
Picture credit: National Herald
He stated that he wanted the assembly’s first business to pass a resolution for the statehood to be restored. He expressed his advice for the incoming government that the first responsibility of the cabinet should be rass the resolution for the restoration of statehood and the chief minister should head towards Delhi with that resolution, all on the experienced leadership of the country and ask them to fulfil their promise.
Omar said that his party will be consistent in the work for restoration of Art 370. He stated that their political stance won’t change. He said that they’ll not be silent on Article 370 and won’t make a fool of people. He repeatedly called for the return of Article 370 from those who snatched it, which is foolishness and deceiving people. He stated that they’ll keep this issue alive and hopes that the government and system alters the country, and attain something for J&K by talking to that government.
