NC yet to deliberate on it, form opinion: CM

Jammu, Dec 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday stated that the National Conference would deliberate and formulate an opinion on the 'One Nation, One Election' draft legislation, cleared by the union cabinet after it was tabled in the Parliament for candid discussions.

“After framing an opinion, we will tell our MPs to vote accordingly. It is hoped that there will be an open and comprehensive debate on it in the Parliament, once it is tabled there and not like the one that happened in the case of Article 370 and UT in 2019,” he said.

With regard to queries about apprehensions of J&K meeting the fate of Delhi, in the wake of confusion about the division of powers and what was the latest status on this account, the Chief Minister said, “Work is underway to frame up Business Rules and bring clarity in them. We hope to complete it by the end of December or January beginning.”

He was responding to media queries on the sidelines of an event in Jammu.

When asked to comment on the Union Government’s proposal on “One Nation, One Election” and the draft bill cleared by the (union) cabinet on it, CM Omar retorted, “What should I say on this account? So far it’s just a cabinet proposal.”

“It has not been tabled in the Parliament as of now. Let it be tabled in the Parliament. There will be a debate on it. Open, comprehensive debate should be held,” he stated.

In the same breath, the Chief Minister struck a cautious note stating that it should be thoroughly deliberated unlike the ‘token-debate’ which lasted a couple of hours on Article 370 (while abrogating it) and (while truncating J&K as) Union Territory in 2019.

“(Hope) It does not meet the same fate as it happened to (Bill on) Article 370 and UT (Union Territory) in 2019. Within an hour or two, after token discussion, it was passed. There should be a candid discussion on it (proposal on ‘One Nation, One Election’) in the Parliament before the latter takes a call,” he said.

“As far as the National Conference is concerned, we will sit together to formulate a unanimous opinion on it and then direct our Members of Parliament as to how to vote on it (in Parliament),” CM Omar said.

ON BJP’S CRITICISM OF CM’S STATEMENT ON RESTORATION OF DARBAR MOVE

When his comment was sought on BJP’s criticism of his (Chief Minister’s) statement pledging restoration of Darbar Move that it was a deceitful statement, aiming at befooling people, CM Omar sharply responded to it. He asserted that his government was trying to “set things right” and put a “just system in place”, which was ruined or destroyed by it (BJP).

“What deceitful claims am I making? They stopped it (historic practice of Darbar Move). They exploited Jammu to the hilt and committed injustice to it with their haughty claims and wrong actions. In every aspect, Jammu bore the brunt of their (BJP’s) unjust acts. Jammu’s map was brutally disfigured,” he said.

“On the face of it, they (BJP leaders) claim that they respect the Maharaja. However, they destroyed Maharaja Sahib’s proud legacy including (status of) Jammu and Kashmir’s (original) map. BJP’s hand is there in altering it (J&K’s map); it is responsible for stopping the practice of Darbar Move and scrapping the ‘state subject’ law. So they committed all kinds of atrocities and resorted to all unjust acts. Now, we’ll rectify (BJP’s) all such unjust acts,” the Chief Minister remarked.

He refused to respond to queries about cabinet expansion and Congress’ inclusion, saying, “That’s my job. You (the media) have nothing to do with it. Leave it to me; I will see what is to be done.”

ON OPPOSITION’S CHARGE – NC GOVT NOT ABLE TO DELIVER

The Chief Minister took a dig at the opposition while responding to a question about its (opposition’s) charge that the NC government was not able to deliver as he said, “Had the opposition been capable of delivering, the people would have given it a mandate to rule.”

“We have been given five years (by the people), not five days; five weeks or five months. Ask for our report card after five years. Whether the company, you (media) work for, is asked to present its report card every month, by us. Your report card is presented after one year. We too have five years at our disposal, we will publish (bring in the public domain) our report card after five years,” he said.