Consult me if you face any problem running ‘half-state’: Kejriwal to Omar

Jammu, Oct 13: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal Sunday asked Chief Minister designate Omar Abdullah to consult him if he (Omar) faced “any difficulty in running J&K, which too was reduced to a ‘Half-state’ like Delhi.”

He offered Omar to take benefit of his (Kejriwal’s) enriching experience which he gained during the last 10 years while running “Half-State Delhi” as its Chief Minister, facing varied obstacles.

Kejriwal made this offer while addressing an impressive post-election (result) rally in Doda Sports Stadium to extend gratitude to the people for electing Mehraj Malik as AAP legislator – first in J&K.

“Omar Abdullah is all set to become the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in the next 2-4 days. We congratulate him. In a way, he is the Chief Minister representing the INDIA alliance. We will fully cooperate with him ensuring that he’s able to run a successful government here smoothly and J&K moves on the path of progress and prosperity under his leadership,” former Delhi Chief Minister said.

“Delhi is called a “Half-state” because the elected government there has very limited powers at its disposal. Now Jammu and Kashmir has also been converted into a “half-state.” Here also, the elected government has very limited powers. The majority of powers rest with the Lieutenant Governor here as is the case with Delhi. I want to tell Omar Abdullah Sahib - if you face any problem in working (running the government) here, just ask me. I know how to run a “Half-State” like that of Delhi. I’ve gained ample experience while running the government in Delhi,” Kejriwal said.

Interestingly, AAP had supported the BJP in the Parliament when it had abrogated Articles 370 and 35-A and bifurcated it (erstwhile J&K State) into two Union Territories.

Besides the “consultancy offer” to Omar, Kejriwal also used this occasion to plead the cause of Mehraj Malik and hoped that he would get representation in the new government (in J&K).

“Since Aam Aadmi Party has extended its support to Omar Abdullah’s government here (in J&K). We formally support it hence I hope that our brother Mehraj Malik will be given responsibility in Omar Abdullah Sahib’s government so that he (Malik) can serve not just Doda but the entire J&K and its people,” he said.

Mehraj defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s Gajay Singh Rana with a margin of 4538 votes in Doda, thus springing a surprise in the 2024 assembly elections, held after a hiatus of ten years.

Former Delhi Chief Minister lauded Mehraj Malik for earning a wealth of experience in social service and deservingly earning acclaim.

“He (Mehraj) has gained this experience of serving people while struggling a lot against all odds. His struggle should not get wasted. His rich experience should be utilised for the welfare of all,” Kejriwal said, forwarding the cause of his first and lone legislator in J&K.

“You can see the plight of Doda; it has been ruined. The condition of schools here is pitiable. There are not enough government schools and wherever they exist, they are in miserable condition. Medicare facilities are not adequate. (Well-equipped) hospitals are not there. Male gynaecologists provide services to women. There are no roads. Electricity is too expensive here. These are the issues, which we want to address. We want overall and inclusive development of Doda and entire J&K,” Kejriwal said. He asserted that his party was a proponent of a different kind of politics i.e., people-centric politics.

“Our party’s focus will be people, and their welfare by ensuring basic amenities like quality education, health, roads, free water and electricity. You have given us an opportunity to serve you. Doda has sown the seeds of AAP in J&K. With this victory, we have become a national party to have its MLA in the fifth state. You will see a positive turnaround in the next ten years here,” Kejriwal promised.

To further substantiate his point vis-a-vis “a different kind of politics”, he noted, “It is very heartening to note that Mehraj Malik has won the election, not in the name of religion. He scored victory while focussing on issues viz., electricity, water, education, health and road.”

Earlier, accompanied by his party colleague and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other senior AAP leaders, Kejriwal reached Doda to extend gratitude to people there for “reposing faith in the party's ideology by electing Mehraj Malik.”

Mann, while addressing the rally, said that his party’s objective was to provide good governance to the people. “What you have done in Doda (by electing Mehraj Malik) is nothing less than a miracle. For many, this (Malik’s victory) would not be a big deal. But this is not a simple development. In the times to come, this will be considered as a significant development in J&K’s electoral history,” he said.

“You (Doda people) have scripted a new history. Doda’s name would be etched in history as a place from where “politics of development” began in J&K in 2024 assembly elections when Mehraj Malik was elected an MLA from there,” he said.

He stated, “Arvind Kejriwal is not just an individual but he represents an ideology. AAP is not a (political) party, this delineates a philosophy. An individual (Kejriwal), who was an Income Tax (IT) Commissioner, left his job and started working in slums to redress grievances of underprivileged people there and ameliorate their living standards. Then he (Kejriwal) became a part of a big movement against corruption held at Ram Lila Ground, Delhi. The entire country joined him.”

“Had the (corrupt) politicians of the country remodelled themselves after that, the party would not have come into existence. But they continued to mock us. Mehraj Malik just told us that they (opponents) used to take a dig at him saying – Why is he roaming around in these hilly terrains, wearing (AAP) cap; we too had faced a similar situation,” Mann recalled.

“They (opponents) used to ridicule us, saying – Laws cannot be framed while sitting (protesting) on roads; get elected first (to make laws). We faced elections and got elected (at their expense). Many among them, who used to make fun of us, would themselves find indirect ways, including Rajya Sabha instead of facing people, to be in the corridors of power. But the public is all-powerful in a democracy, it knows everything. Real power to make or mar (any politician) lies with the people,” Mann said.