SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday vowed to defeat all designs to fragment the state and to weaken its special status, while accusing three major parties, BJP, Congress and PDP – of “uniting” in their political opposition against National Conference (NC).
“NC would uphold the political individuality, dignity and status of Jammu and Kashmir and pledges to defeat all designs to fragment the state and to weaken its special status.
“Contrary to their election rhetoric the fact is that all other political parties be it the BJP, the Congress or the PDP have united in their political opposition to what NC represents and the ideals that we uphold,” Omar said addressing roadshows in Beerwah wherefrom he is contesting the assembly polls.
While on one hand the BJP was seeking abrogation of Article 370, on the other hand the PDP had “made erosions” to the constitutional provision which guarantees a special status to the state, he said.
“When it comes to Congress, one is reminded of the stiff public opposition mooted by (JKPCC president) Saif-ud-din Soz to the revocation of AFSPA as demanded by NC. Today they are pretending that they never harmed Article 370 and never created hurdles in NC’s efforts to bring relief and succor to the people of our state,” Omar said.
Omar said his party had succeeded in making development a part of the political narrative in the state through sustained efforts to upgrade the state’s administrative and public infrastructure.
“The entire state has witnessed a huge transformation in the sectors of power, healthcare, education, roads, bridges, tourism, horticulture and agriculture during the last six years and NC would continue to lead the state towards new frontiers of prosperity,” he said.
The chief minister said his government created a new network of administrative units in every nook and corner of the state to bring the government to doorsteps of the people.
“The new network of new Tehsils, new Community Development Blocks and new Niabats will mean that your interface with the government is smoother and more efficient. The creation of the New Administrative Units was a historic initiative at liberalisation and decentralisation of power,” he said.
Omar said the “heartwarming” high-turnout in the first phase of elections was a testament to his government’s efforts in areas of youth empowerment, reconciliation and rehabilitation.
“Our efforts to reduce violence and to make concrete efforts towards the goal of normalcy in the state are also in front of you. In the last six years there has been a 70 per cent decline in violence in the state.
“When we took over in 2008, the PDP-Congress Coalition Government had abandoned their responsibilities and had plunged the state into political uncertainty. We started from scratch and made efforts towards reconciliation, youth involvement and youth empowerment to give hope where PDP had sown hopelessness.
“Today, the heartwarming high-turnout in the first phase of elections is a testament to our efforts in areas of youth empowerment, reconciliation and rehabilitation,” he said. PTI
