PDP responsible for J&K’s fall from state to UT: CM Omar

Budgam, Nov 8: In a fiery and emotionally charged speech in Budgam today, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) squarely responsible for Jammu and Kashmir’s transition from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory.

Addressing a gathering of National Conference (NC) workers and supporters, with around 15 MLAs seated beside him on stage, CM Omar said the 2015 PDP-BJP coalition had “cut the roots” of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy and identity.

“I’m the Chief Minister of a Union Territory instead of a state because of PDP,” he said.  “If they had not betrayed the trust of the people and joined hands with the BJP, perhaps we would still have our state, our dignity, and our rights intact.”

Recalling the events of 2014, the CM said both the NC and PDP had gone to the people with the same slogan - to keep the BJP out of power.

“In 2014, late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and his daughter went around telling people that to keep the BJP out, they must vote for the PDP. People trusted them. But immediately after the election, they went and shook hands with the same BJP. That betrayal cost J&K its identity,” he said.

“Lamhon ne khata ki thi, sadiyon ne saza payi (Moments committed the mistake, centuries got the punishment),” CM Omar said.

He accused the PDP-BJP government of sowing the seeds of destruction long before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

“It did not start in 2019. It started when PDP sat in the BJP’s lap. Who imposed GST here? PDP and BJP. Who brought SARFAESI, the law under which our people’s homes are being taken over by banks? The same PDP-BJP government. They weakened us from within,” the CM said.

He said that despite the damage done, the PDP had never apologised.

“Till today, I have not heard them say sorry for joining hands with the BJP. That’s all the people wanted: an apology and an admission that they made a mistake. But they haven’t said it even once,” CM Omar said.

Reaffirming that the NC chose principle over political gain, he said, “We are being punished for not allowing the BJP into the government. Had we joined hands with them after the elections, we would have got statehood back. Our officers wouldn’t be transferred without our permission. But we refused to sell our conscience for power.”

The CM accused the PDP, Apni Party, People’s Conference, and independent candidates for indirectly helping the BJP by ganging up against the NC.

“Whether it’s the PDP, PC, the pressure cooker, or the bat symbol, the target of them all is the National Conference, Omar Abdullah, and Agha Mehmood. None of them has the courage to contest directly against the BJP,” he said.

CM Omar said that when Congress backed out from contesting the Nagrota seat at the last minute, NC stepped in to ensure the BJP faced a contest.

“At midnight, we got a call that Congress would not fight. By morning, we had our candidate ready and filed papers. We wanted at least one contest against the BJP. And today, those very people taunt us,” he said.

The CM also took a dig at the PDP and its shifting political alliances.

“We don’t know who they are in the morning and who they are in the evening,” he said. “We don’t play politics of deceit. We speak openly, and we leave it to the people to decide what is right and what is wrong.”

CM Omar listed developmental initiatives undertaken in Budgam, saying his government had invested Rs 110 crore in a year for roads, drainage, water supply schemes, hospital CT scans, playgrounds, solar lights, and transformers.

“Even though I represent Ganderbal, I have invested as much in Budgam. I wanted the people of Budgam to see that their trust was not misplaced,” he said.

The CM also announced plans for a new international cricket stadium and academy in Budgam, arguing that its location, with proximity to the airport and railway, made it ideal for Kashmir’s first world-class sports facility.

Touching on social welfare initiatives, he said, “We introduced free bus travel for our daughters and sisters in government buses, increased social welfare pensions after 15 years, and removed the outdated requirement of an eighth-grade pass for women seeking marriage assistance. We exempted family-to-family property transfers from taxation so that a father can gift land to his son without being taxed. These may seem small, but they make life easier for ordinary people.”

CM Omar also cited the shift in the academic calendar as one of his government’s achievements. “Remember when exams were held after the winter break? We changed that. Now children finish exams before winter and start their new classes. It’s a reform that benefits every parent,” he said.

The CM urged voters not to be misled by slogans and propaganda.

“You are not voting for the CM this time. That decision was taken a year ago. You are voting for Budgam’s future, for your own development, and your own dignity,” he said.

Calling the November 11 vote “a choice between progress and chaos,” CM Omar asked people to rally behind NC candidate Agha Syed Mehmood.

“Press the second button on the EVM, the one with Agha Mehmood’s name. If you do that, you will not have one MLA, you will have two. Buy one, get one free,” he said humorously, drawing cheers from the crowd.

He ended his 25-minute address with a call for vigilance and solidarity.

“Our opponents are cunning. They will try every trick in the book in the next two days. We must reach every voter, every booth, and ensure every vote is for Agha Mehmood. Together, we will win Budgam and reclaim our dignity,” Omar said, as supporters chanted slogans in his support.