If there’s development in J&K, why’s BJP reluctant to hold polls: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Nov 26: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah Sunday said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s claims of normalcy and development were true then why was the Centre reluctant to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir?

A statement of NC issued here said that addressing a one-day workers’ convention at Langate, Omar while contesting the claims of the government on development and normalcy, said that the situation on the ground was in stark contrast to the claims made in the aftermath of Article 370 abrogation.

“Hoisting big flags everywhere cannot win people’s hearts. To win people’s hearts one has to understand their feelings, solve their problems, and reduce their suffering and their feelings and emotions. It has to be appreciated. You cannot win the hearts of the people by keeping them locked up in jails for years,” he said.
Omar said that the Centre made a lot of propaganda about Article 370 which ultimately proved to be a lie and deception.

“The entire world was told that Article 370 is a barrier to employment in J&K, the root of bribery and corruption. It was further said that it helped separatists and terrorists. But it has been more than four years since the article was abrogated. What has changed? If BJP has done development for J&K then why run away from elections?” he said.

“Our people are struggling in every sphere of life whether it is availability of water, erratic power supply, or unemployment. Our honour has been erased, our identity has been destroyed, what did the people here get in return for this except problems, difficulties and sufferings? Which young people are doing government jobs today? We were told that there will be no electricity cuts now. But the reality is for everyone to see. The daily lives of our people are crippled with unscheduled power cuts and long outages. This government has left no stone unturned in installing smart meters, but when it comes to ensuring electric supply, the administration turns volte-face,” Omar said.

Taking a dig at BJP's local cronies, he said, “I advise BJP’s A, B, C, and D teams to raise their voice against what is happening to Kashmiris in Uttar Pradesh instead of opposing the NC. Use your influence to see how Kashmiris are called to police stations and harassed. If you can't talk about Kashmiris, at least talk about the Muslims of UP, where anything with the stamp of Halal is a crime now. You have given up on the restoration of Article 370, but why are you silent on other things? Just as we are demanding the return of electricity projects to improve the electricity system, who is stopping you from doing so? Don't you see the people of Kashmir are suffering?”

NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leaders Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Shameema Firdous, Mir Saifullah, and Javed Dar also addressed the gathering.