Omar threatens to scuttle construction of Maha Bhawan in Kmr after coming to power

‘Ruling like uncrowned kings’: Ex-CM jibes LG Admin over delay in assembly polls

Jammu, March 18: Former chief minister and vice-president of National Conference Omar Abdullah today launched the election campaign for Lok Sabha polls by raking up a controversy over the construction of Maharashtra Bhawan in Srinagar, saying “the Bhawan would be closed after the formation of a democratic government in October this year”.
Omar, who was seemingly confident of winning the assembly elections and forming an elected government in J&K post-abrogation of Article 370, was critical over the “construction of Bhawans” in Kashmir Valley for accommodating tourists in Budgam, thereby allegedly snatching the livelihood of local hoteliers in Kashmir.
"You, the government, are constructing large buildings in Kashmir, creating rooms specifically for accommodating tourists. These Bhawans will be used to host tourists who are currently staying in our hotels, snatching the livelihood of local hoteliers. You continue to proceed with these developments until September, and in October, we will assess the fate of these Bhawans,” Omar said while sending a clear warning to the UT administration of Jammu and Kashmir during a public rally at Kulgam in Kashmir Valley.
The Maharashtra Bhawan, set to be the first state Bhawan in the Valley, will be situated in central Kashmir’s Budgam, near Srinagar airport, spanning across a 2.5-acre plot. The Maharashtra cabinet recently approved the land purchase, with the J&K government granting land transfer for Rs 8.16 crore. The Maharashtra cabinet sanctioned the purchase of the land on Wednesday.
A Revenue Department order confirmed the transfer of Shamlat Deh land measuring 20 kanal at estate Ichgam Budgam to Maharashtra state for the Bhawan's construction, highlighting its purpose as a tourist facility to provide comfortable accommodations for tourists and officials from Maharashtra.
The process to purchase land and construct a tourist facility here was initiated after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Jammu and Kashmir and met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in June 2024.
The facility aims to offer comfortable accommodations and facilities for tourists and officials from Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Omar accused the UT administration of Jammu and Kashmir of “sabotaging” the conduct of assembly polls in the union territory, saying the current dispensation wants to continue to rule like “uncrowned kings”.
“We wanted simultaneous elections along with Lok Sabha elections. But, it did not happen. The current government of Jammu and Kashmir sabotaged that because they do not want to hand over the power to the people again. They are ruling like uncrowned kings,” Abdullah told reporters here after kicking off the party's election campaign for Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency.
Omar also pointed out that as per directions of the Supreme Court of India, issued in December, J&K assembly polls have to be concluded before September 30, 2024. “Hopefully people can have their own government then, as the ECI has also stated,” Omar said.
The NC leader said his party would announce the candidates for Lok Sabha elections at an “appropriate time”. “The NC will announce the list of candidates at an appropriate time. Today from the southern district of Kulgam our party has started an election campaign,” he said.
aHitting out at BJP, the NC leader said “It is the age-old method of the saffron party to target minorities during elections. CAA is aimed for the same to target not only Muslims but also other minorities living in the country”.

Updated On 3/19/2024 12:23:52 AM