CM has surrendered to BJP: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Nov 30: Peoples Conference (PC) President Sajad  Gani Lone today accused the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah  of abandoning his aggressive anti-BJP stance post-election and instead displaying "rookie enthusiasm in surrendering" to the BJP.

He criticised the Chief Minister for actions such as gifting shawls to BJP leaders, which Lone described as a "comedown" from the rebellion promised during the election campaign. "During the election period, your body language and utterances were aggressive. Your whole campaign was customised against the BJP. Your electoral script was a blend of escalation and scapegoating. And it worked for you. A massive mandate you got," Lone wrote on X.

Lone expressed dismay at the Chief Minister’s perceived transformation, saying, "From a rebel with a sword in his hand mounted on a horse to a minion grovelling on his knees, sword replaced by a shawl. What a comedown." He accused the Chief Minister of humiliating Kashmiri voters who believed they were voting for someone who would stand up to the BJP, adding, "Your shawl draping visuals of surrender meant that BJP had actually taught the people of Kashmir a lesson. The BJP had the last laugh."

Lone raised concerns about the growing confusion caused by the parallel power structure of the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) administration, stating, "There are no business rules in sight. Business rules are in essence demarcation of respective competencies. And there is total confusion. You have been ring-fenced. You come across as a horse shot through the legs."

He warned that the ongoing erosion of Kashmiri identity would continue unabated unless the region's statehood was restored, calling the Union Territory a "ticking bomb." Lone accused the Chief Minister of betraying the trust of the Kashmiri people, questioning his motives and courage:

"Are you scared? Or are you compromised? Whose side are you on? The Kashmiris have given you the mandate. Go out there and fight for them. Where is the roar that you threatened to roar? Why am I and many more like me hearing a meow," the PC leader said.

He criticised the Chief Minister’s silence on key issues, including the termination of government employees, suggesting that the administration lacked the courage to stand up to Delhi but had no qualms about targeting Kashmiri locals. "Not a single day passes when the elected government is not undermined. Again you are quiet," he noted.