NC filled unrepresented Baramulla’s void in Parliament: CM
Srinagar, Nov 8: Chief Minister and National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency remains unrepresented in the Parliament as its elected Engineer Rashid as Member of Parliament who is in jail.
He said the NC had to nominate senior leader Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan to the Rajya Sabha to ensure that north Kashmir’s voice is heard at the national level.
Speaking to media persons in Budgam while campaigning for Agha Mehmood, the NC candidate for the constituency, CM Omar responded to recent comments made by AIP chief Engineer Rashid’s son, who accused the NC of rigging the 1987 assembly elections.
Taking exception to the allegation, he said such claims were politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from current realities.
“They (AIP) are still talking about 1987. Forget 1987, let’s talk about last year,” the CM said. “They had asked for votes for the release of his father after winning the Baramulla seat. Then what happened? Baramulla didn’t get an MP. To remove that shortcoming, we sent Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan Sahab to the Rajya Sabha so that at least there would be an MP for north Kashmir.”
CM Omar, who himself lost to Engineer Rashid in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, said people were misled in the name of sympathy and false promises.
“They said his father would be released after the election. But even today, there is no Lok Sabha member for north Kashmir. They should answer that,” he said, taking a dig at his jailed rival’s supporters.
The CM said that the NC’s decision to send Ramzan to the Rajya Sabha was not political favouritism but a measure to ensure representation.
“When Baramulla has no voice in the Parliament because its MP is in jail, it becomes our duty to make sure north Kashmir is not silenced,” he said.
CM Omar also aimed at his political opponents, especially the PDP, saying those who governed after the NC’s 2014 term should answer for their performance.
“Ask the governments that came after 2015 what happened to them? We left after 2014. Our government came after 11 years. What happened in those 11 years? Ask the people who ruled at that time,” he said.
Switching to governance issues, the CM addressed the ongoing debate on smart electricity meters, urging consumers to cooperate with the installation drive if they wish to benefit from the government’s 200-unit concession.
“If you want the 200-unit electricity benefit, you should install meters. If you don’t, your bill will rise, and there will be no concession,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the rally.
CM Omar dismissed claims of hidden conditions or selective enforcement.
“If you want a concession, install meters. If you are ready to pay full rates, then don’t install them. It’s your choice,” he said. “Non-functional and fake meters have already been removed.”
Reiterating his sense of duty toward the people of Budgam, the CM said, “It’s my responsibility, not only as the leader of NC, but also because the people of Budgam helped me win in the last election. I am fulfilling that responsibility by coming here and speaking to them directly.”
