WAJAHAT SHABIR
Srinagar: Asserting that the Centre should be given “first chance” to fulfil its promise of restoring the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said approaching courts on the issue would mean a “fight” and that it should be the “last option”.
During his first media meet here since assuming office in October, Abdullah also dismissed suggestions that his National Conference was under pressure to join the BJP-led NDA and expressed optimism that the promises made by the Centre to restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled at the earliest.
When asked why the J-K government did not approach court for restoration of statehood and went to the Centre with the resolution on it, he said going to the courts would mean getting into a confrontation.
“Simply going to courts will be a fight. A fight should never be the first option, it should be the last option.
“If the SC had not spoken about the restoration of statehood, if the prime minister and home minister had not spoken about it, then we could have gone to courts. They have made promises and we have to give them a chance first,” he added.
Abdullah said the Supreme Court in its judgement in December last year had also stated that the statehood should be restored as soon as possible. “One year has passed since and we think one year should be enough,” he said.
He also maintained that the region’s current status as a Union Territory should be viewed as a temporary arrangement and restoration of statehood was the “biggest challenge” for his government.
The chief minister dismissed rumours suggesting pressure from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to alter the National Conference’s ideology and join the alliance.
“There is no pressure from the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), Home Minister (Amit Shah) or the Raj Bhawan on us to change our ideology,” he said.
The chief minister added that he has received assurances from the prime minister and home minister that the National Conference government would remain stable and that they would receive the same cooperation extended earlier to the lieutenant governor.
“They have stated they will respect the mandate of the people. Those spreading rumours that I will now join NDA and that I have changed my ideology, I cannot help that. I am here to work and I will work,” he said at the media interaction held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre.
The chief minister took questions on various issues confronting his two-month-old government, including the functioning of an elected government that has to share powers with the Centre’s appointee — the lieutenant governor.
He argued that “dual centres of power are not advantageous” and that effective governance is best achieved with a single command structure.
While acknowledging some differences of opinion with the Raj Bhavan, Abdullah insisted that these disagreements are not as severe as speculated.
“Obviously, dual centres of power are not to anyone’s advantage. If dual centres were effective tools of governance, you would see it everywhere,” he said.
Abdullah acknowledged the difference of being a chief minister of a Union territory and a state, saying “it has been a little over two months since we came to power. It took us time to understand how the UT government works. We have been associated with the government earlier, but there is a vast difference between that form and the present form”.
The Centre on August 5, 2019, abrogated Article 370 stripping J&K of its special status and divided it into two Union territories — J&K and Ladakh. While the former has a legislative assembly with limited authority, Ladakh operates without one.
In December 2023, the apex court upheld the Centre’s actions regarding the revocation of special status but reiterated the need for the swift restoration of statehood.
Reflecting on his government’s initial experiences, Abdullah described the start as “decent”, stating that they have initiated processes to fulfil election promises.
He insisted that their election manifesto is not limited to a few weeks or months, but is intended for a full five-year term.
“We are bound by our election promises. We have started the process of implementing some of the promises and for other promises, we need change in the system. I hope J-K being a UT is a temporary phase,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister also announced that the business rules for the government will be formulated after thorough consultations and subsequently presented to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Emphasising the importance of addressing public concerns, he encouraged citizens to seek resolutions wherever possible, whether at the Raj Bhavan, with local MLAs, or government officials.
On National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi joining protests over reservation near his residence in Gupkar, Abdullah asserted that NC is a democratic party where every member has the right to express their views.
“While we have been accused of being a family party, we are a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion,” he stated, highlighting the positive changes that have emerged in recent times.
He noted that protests, once deemed illegal, have transformed into a means for citizens to voice their concerns directly to him.
“…People protested and reached my door. We had a meeting afterwards,” he added, referring to the protest near his residence in Gupkar which was joined by Mehdi.
On the reservation issue, Abdullah said that a cabinet sub-committee has been established to address the matter.
He expressed hope that Mehdi would advocate for the restoration of statehood in Parliament as he rallies for reservation rights.
Abdullah, however, said while “we can fight over the reserved and open category, but first we have to save our jobs”.
“What will we do when people from other places come here for jobs?” he asked.
Responding to questions about the Raj Bhavan’s decision not to restore public holidays for the birthday of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Martyr’s Day on July 13, the chief minister reiterated that such decisions cannot erase the legacy of those who made significant sacrifices for the region.
“The holidays became a big story. Ideally, we would want to have them as they are emotionally attached with people,” he added.
Abdullah also said that his government was framing a policy to address the situation of hoteliers in Gulmarg whose land leases have expired after they had opted for now-disbanded Roshini scheme.
Responding to question over the apprehension of people associated with horticulture and agriculture over establishing the National Institute of Technology Kashmir’s main satellite campus at more than 600 Kanal of land in Pulwama., CM Omar said “I understand the people’s concerns, especially regarding land. We cannot expand our land, and this is the same land that Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah handed over to the people during very challenging times.”
“Now, to take that land back from them, I believe, presents challenges. However, development cannot be stopped either. Whether it concerns development, the welfare of the people, or projects like railways, these are essential,” he said.
He said development has to go hand in hand with people’s concerns. To the best extent possible, we must ensure that whatever ropes are selected, whether roads or railways, are on nonproductive lands and not productive lands.
CM said that, as far as NIT is concerned, a group of people met and showed concern that they have almond trees there. I told them that if the people of Pulwama don’t want the institute, we will shift it to other districts where people want it.
Not everyone is opposed to development in the region. There are areas where nonproductive land can be used for the NIT campus. If the area of Pulwama and Pampore collectively comes and says we don’t want NIT there, CM said we will shift to some other area.
If we can locate AIIMS and Central University somewhere, we will also find a place for NIT. Other districts will welcome it with open arms. I received a phone call from an MLA who is not even from the government. He said to shift NIT to my area and that I would provide you the land, Omar said.
He said that we have to find a balance between development needs and protecting our productive agricultural land. with PTI inputs.
