Srinagar, Oct 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday ruled out any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir should not depend on which party is in power.
Addressing a press conference at Srinagar, Omar said that if statehood is dependent on the BJP coming to power in Jammu and Kashmir, then the BJP should be honest about it. “They should tell the people clearly that as long as there is a non-BJP government here, statehood will not be restored. But tying up with the BJP is out of the question. We have already seen how much damage the PDP-BJP alliance did to J&K.”
On the implementation of the National Conference manifesto, he said, that the manifesto is for five years, not for six months or one year. “We have already started implementing several promises. Inshallah, we will deliver everything we promised.”
Rejecting attempts to connect the Pahalgam terror attack with the demand for statehood, Omar said ehat happened in Pahalgam was not the fault of the elected government or the people. “None of those involved were from J&K; all were outsiders. Linking this incident with the issue of statehood is unfair and misleading.”
ALSO READ: Statehood To Be Restored At Appropriate Time: HM Shah
On the Budgam Assembly bypolls, he said the party would announce its candidate shortly. “We are in the final stages of discussions. The announcement will be made within the next 48 hours,” he said.
Omar said he was considering becoming a legal party to the case on statehood in the Supreme Court. “I have spoken to senior lawyers in Delhi and J&K. As the only person who has served both as Chief Minister of a state and a Union Territory, I understand the disadvantages better than anyone else. Based on legal advice, I may make myself a party to the case,” he said.
On reported consultations between the J&K government and the Centre, Omar said he first heard about it through Supreme Court proceedings, adding that there has been no formal consultation so far.
Responding to criticism over cabinet representation, he said the Union Territory structure limited the number of ministers. “It is wrong to assume that only ministers can serve their areas. Every minister in my cabinet works for the entire J&K,” he said.
He added that cabinet expansion could be considered after the Rajya Sabha polls and the Assembly session.
ALSO READ: Will Revoke PSA Once Statehood is Restored: CM Omar
Defending the use of smart electricity meters, Omar said they had improved power usage and billing. “In many areas where meters were installed, electricity bills have gone down and supply has improved. Our promise of 200 free units of power will only work if usage can be measured properly,” he said.
Reiterating his position on statehood, the chief Minister said it was always a three-step process, delimitation, elections, and then statehood. “Two steps are complete. Now the Centre must fulfil the third without delay so that the elected government can function with full authority.” (KNS)
