More steps need to be taken to make J&K a normal, peaceful UT: Omar Abdullah

SHAKEELA ANDRABI

SRINAGAR: National Conference Vice-President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that BJPs developmental slogans in Jammu and Kashmir was a lie and this party has failed completely in the name of providing employment and holding assembly elections in the region. There is nowhere normalcy in J&K and claims of restoring peace in the region are “mere prank”, he added.
“If we talk of Rajouri, it was quite silent and militancy-free in our times. But today encounters are taking place day in and day out everywhere. Those claiming normalcy are not only befooling themselves but the people of entire country,” former chief minister said, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a workers’ convention at Sumbal Bandipora.
He said the claims of peace and normalcy in J&K are not appropriate words at this time.
While hitting out at the BJP government, the former CM said the party is scared of our existence in the region and is running away from holding democratic exercises. “BJP is scared of our position, which is why they (BJP) delayed ULB, Panchayat and Assembly elections in J&K,” he said.
Replying to a query, Omar said that he was not asserting that every person of J&K will vote for NC whenever elections are held. “Our party is holding public conventions everywhere and has received a good response from people. I won’t claim every person will caste his or her vote in favour of National Conference (NC) but it will be our effort to convince everyone,” he said.
Omar added that the party’s top leadership will sit and deliberate upon a suitable candidate who will fight forthcoming Parliamentary polls from north Kashmir. “NCs leadership will discuss every part of the situation and will put forth a suitable and right candidate who will contest Parliamentary polls from north Kashmir. The party high command will take a call on it soon,” he said.