J&K: Why are we being made to wait for govt, Omar asks Mehbooba

by Abbas Adil

As the National Conference has asked PDP to recommend dissolution of state’s Assembly for conduct of fresh elections if Mehbooba Mufti is “unable or unwilling” to take over as chief minister, PDP said that the party “does not need lessons” from NC.
“We need not take lessons from National Conference or Omar Abdullah,” a senior PDP leader told KNS, wishing not to be named.
“People know how power has changed the party (NC) and how they are now trying to undermine the efforts of PDP to regain some assets for the state with 28 seats, which they (NC) had given over when they had 60 seats,” the leader said.
Referring to the open letter which NC working president and former chief minister of the state, Omar Abdullah, has written to Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP leader said that “We do not want to enter into a debate with Omar Abdullah”.
“We (PDP) are in a serious business at this time trying to safeguard as much as we can of the interests of the state which everybody knows who has sold out and for what reasons,” the senior leader said.
The NC leader has while addressing to Mehbooba 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.
While referring to PDP’s core group meeting, Omar said that the people of the state expected some announcements.
“At the very least, we expected some clarity to shine through and dissolve the fog of uncertainty that had enveloped the state ever since the reports of Mufti Sahib being seriously ill first reached us.”
“Thank you for clarifying that we should not expect anything. Thank you for clarifying that the Agenda for Alliance is “a sacred document”, the same document that only a few days ago had been termed a failure by your own senior colleague. Thank you for clarifying that no new demands are being made of your allies, that no concessions are being sought. At least we know that it will be business as usual when the business of governing resumes.”
Omar asked why the people of the state are made to wait of the government.
“I want to ask you – why are we being made to wait for a government? Your 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?”
“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 NC leader 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.
“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 said.

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