Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, faced with a tough situation as a result of weeks of unrest and separatist-sponsored strikes and protests and being repeatedly asked by the Opposition to step down, on Monday rejected criticism as unwarranted and asserted that he is the real representative of the people of the state. “I represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir and speak their heart in New Delhi,” the chief minister said reiterating that strikes and disturbances only lead to retrogress.
While speaking at an officially-sponsored gathering of prominent citizens and representatives of various social and political groups at Kangan, a township 40-km north of here, Mr Abdullah said, “I’m not a person who speaks one language in Delhi and another at Srinagar. I am firm on my political and economic commitments to the people.” He added, “I represent people of Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi, advocates their cause and speaks their heart at all forums.”
He said that it was he who raised the issue of Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act as the chief minister while in office and vehemently advocated its amendment and gradual removal with the improvement in the situation. “Only in my regime a commandant of the BSF was arrested and handed over to police for alleged human rights violation,” he said in an apparent attempt to impress the audience. Even as the unrest refuses to die down, the chief minister has continued with him endeavour to reach out the civil society across the state and personally get first hand information of their problems and development needs.
Mr Abdullah again boasted over his being the only chief minister of the state “who categorically made it clear at Qazigund in front of the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson on the occasion of inauguration of train service that the Kashmir is not an economic issue but a political one and needs addressing politically.” He added, “I’ve reiterated the same time and again at various national forums including National Development Council (NDC) meeting recently and will continue to stress on it.”
The chief minister said that during his election campaign in 2008, he had also declared in almost every public meeting and election rally that he seeks support and vote of people for development.