Right development at right time for Omar Abdullah government

Besides its highly important significance, the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir after the formation of newly elected government also came as a morale booster for the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. However, it is to be seen what impact this morale boosting can create for him and his government in the Union Territory, which continues to have a dual power-centres.

While the Prime Minister did not say when exactly the statehood would be restored but the exchange of warm gestures between him and the Chief Minister during the Sonamarg tunnel inauguration function was much needed for the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir. Responding to the demand of restoration of statehood mentioned by Omar Abdullah in his speech and the promise made with the people of J&K by the central government leadership in this direction, the Prime Minister said right decision will be taken at a right time as "Modi always keeps his promises."

The developments at the tunnel inauguration came as a right development at a right time for Omar Abdullah government. Chief Minister praised the Prime Minister for his steps for peace and development and holding of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Modi also repeatedly referred to the Chief Minister in his speech.

Political observers say the public display of bonhomie through exchange of warm gestures with the Prime Minister have consolidated the Chief Minister's position and image at the government and political circles. It has sent a positive message. While the basic mechanism of the dual power system is not going to undergo major changes for the time being but functioning of the Omar Abdullah government and doing more things on governance front may become easier for it.

After the NC government's proposal to re-include December 5 ( the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) and July 13 ( Martyrs'Day) into list of holidays was rejected by Lieutenant Governor's administration, there was a general impression that the elected government is not that effective or powerful in present system. But later Omar Abdullah at a media interaction said that his government is very much in control within its jurisdiction and that if any problems occur at any level it is being sorted out. But at the same time he kept on demanding an end to the dual power system and reiterating early restoration of the statehood.

The Prime Minister's visit facilitated the visibility of the elected government in a significant way for the first time.

NC leadership has already made it clear that it is not for any confrontation with the central government. Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah recently stated that any kind of confrontation is not in the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "For getting the problems of the people solved, the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir and the central government will have to work together," he said.

NC's approach to avoid the confrontation has come under criticism from the opposition parties, who allege betrayal with the promises made by the ruling party with the people during elections. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti says that Omar Abdullah is doing everything to normalise the revocation of Article 370. According to the opposition, harping on statehood restoration, which the central government has already promised and assured is meaningless. "The statehood is bound to occur and there are other important issues on which the NC government has observed a complete silence," the opposition says.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly said that expecting restoration of Article 370, from the present central government, which revoked it, is unwise. He has been saying that his party will not give up its demand for Article 370 but right now early restoration of statehood is imperative so that his government is able to fully come upto the expectations and deliver on the governance front.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing a rally of ex-service at Akhnoor in Jammu praised the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his steps to strengthen central government's efforts to remove "the Diloon Ki Douri between Delhi and people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir