Call for fresh polls if unwilling to be CM: Omar to Mehbooba
21 Jan 2016 4:51 AM IST
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked People Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to recommend the dissolution of the J&K Assembly for conducting fresh elections in the state, if she is “unable or unwilling” to assume the responsibility as Chief Minister. In an open letter to Mehbooba, the National Conference (NC) leader said, “to dilly-dally is the biggest disservice you can do” to people of the state as they should not be denied an elected government.
“If you are unable or unwilling to assume the responsibilities that are being placed on your shoulders, then you must do your duty to the people, recommend to His Excellency The Governor to dissolve the Assembly, and let the people make a fresh decision in an election,” he said.
Omar said Mehbooba’s reluctance to step up and take charge meant that in less than a year, the state had to be placed under central rule again. “No state should be denied an elected government, but I took some consolation from the belief, alas mistaken, that central rule would be a short-lived affair and you would take over after the four days of mourning,” he said.
The working president of National Conference said the people of the state had a number of expectations.
“The flood victims expected to see a bigger flood relief package; industry expected to see the return of power projects; contractors expected to see more money for development; and unemployed youngsters expected to see more jobs,” he said.
“Civil society was heartened to read that you were negotiating to ensure that divisive issues like the attack on our flag and threat to our special constitutional status would end,” he added.
Omar said the PDP president cannot blame the people for expecting to see all this happen. “Of course you can’t, because this was part of the information being fed to us from people around you.”
He said Mehbooba’s silence resulted in others from her party rushing in to fill the void.
“People close to you, or pretending to be close to you, started to spin your reluctance as a negotiating tactic. It was made known that the alliance was teetering on the brink of an abyss,” he said.
“The Agenda for Alliance, the final policy document bequeathed to you by Mufti Sahib, had been ignored by your allies and you were angry.” “We were told that you would not take over unless you had firm assurances from no lesser person than the Prime Minister. That unless parts of it were implemented immediately, you would walk away from the alliance with the BJP,” he added.
Commenting on the PDP core group meeting on Sunday, Omar said the people of the state were expecting some announcements but it appears it “will be business as usual when the business of governing resumes.”
Omar asked Mehbooba what she was waiting for when her party’s alliance with the BJP stands and no fresh negotiations are taking place.
“So why is the state under central rule? What are you waiting for, Mehbooba?”
Heptullah visits Mehbooba, refutes discussing J&K govt formation
Union Minister Najma Heptullah on Tuesday visited PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to offer her condolences on the demise of her father and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, while refuting claims that she had come with a message from the Centre.
“I have not come with any message from anybody,” she told reporters before heading to Mehbooba’s residence at the high security Gupkar Road. The Union Minority Affairs minister said it was a tradition among Muslims to visit each other to condole a death in the family.
“Mufti sahib was known to me from a long time. I have to come meet his children to condole his death,” she said.
On being asked whether she talked about the government formation with the PDP chief, Heptulla said “I will see if the time is appropriate for such a thing.”
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