Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to recommend dissolution of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly if “unable or unwilling” to assume the CM’s office.
He has suggested to the grieving daughter of late CM of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct of fresh elections in the state.
In an open letter to Mehbooba Mufti, the National Conference (NC) leader 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.
Pointing at a possibility of a central rule in Jammu and Kashmir in another year due to her reluctance to take charge.
The acting head of NC, Abdullah also commented that the other people in Mufti’s party will rush to fill the void if she doesn’t.
Commenting on the PDP core group meeting on Sunday, Omar said the people of the state were expecting some announcements but it appears it “will be business, as usual, when the business of governing resumes”.
Taking a jibe at the PDP leader, the former chief minister said what Mehbooba has clarified is 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.”
Omar said he would be terrified if he were in Mehbooba’s place.
Highlights From Omar Abdullah’s Letter
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.
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.
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.
People close to you, or pretending to be close to you, started to spin your reluctance as a negotiating tactic. It was made known that the alliance was teetering on the brink of an abyss.
We were told that you would not take over unless you had firm assurances from no lesser person than the Prime Minister. That unless parts of it were implemented immediately, you would walk away from the alliance with the BJP. So why is the state under central rule? What are you waiting for, Mehbooba?
Unfortunately, you don’t get to choose the circumstances under which you assume the responsibilities of the CM of J&K, but your fear cannot be grounds enough to deny the people an elected government.
Taking over now is not a sign of being power hungry, but not taking over is certainly an abuse of the trust the people placed in you and your party.
(With inputs from PTI.)