Ruhullah committed ‘political suicide’: CM
Jammu, Nov 14: Following the Budgam debacle, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday asserted that party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah, in the process of damaging the cause of the National Conference, himself, committed “political suicide” in his bastion.
He said that the person who won from Budgam (in the assembly by-poll) would not allow Ruhullah to stand up again and damage even his political cause.
This was his subtle response to Ruhullah’s ‘arrogance’ jabs aimed at him (CM).
The Chief Minister was responding to media queries following his visit to Tawi Golf Course Sidhra Jammu.
He, however, stated that the party would analyse both Budgam and Nagrota election results and take desired actions.
With regard to the demolition of the house of Delhi car blast accused Dr Umar Nabi’s house in Pulwama, he stated that it would not help curbing terrorism.
“Had these things really helped contain terrorism, it (terrorism) would have been wiped out by now. You (government) demolished so many houses even after the Pahalgam (attack). Did it stop terrorism? I fear that such steps further increase anger and alienation. But these decisions are not with us. Those who take calls on such issues should revisit their decisions and analyse if they really curb terrorism or not,” CM Omar said.
In this context, he also shared his personal experience.
“In the past, when I served as the Chief Minister for six years, security was my responsibility. Every year, we registered a decline in militancy related attacks. But we did not feel the need to demolish houses in such a manner,” the Chief Minister recalled.
RUHULLAH AND BUDGAM VERDICT
There was a poser - Estranged National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah has taken a dig, following the party’s (NC’s) debacle, saying, ‘Arrogance is the recipe for disaster.’
When CM Omar’s reaction was sought on this statement, initially he refused to comment, maintaining, “I don’t have to say anything about him.”
But did his (Ruhullah’s) indifference to the party and its campaign prove damaging?
The Chief Minister’s response to this question was, “Had it not been damaging. it……but leave it. I’ll only say - there is an English proverb - You cut (off) your nose to spite your face. Just to convey to me some message, what Ruhullah did or did not do – that’s a separate matter. But politically, he, himself, definitely committed ‘suicide’. As the person who has won from there, will not allow Ruhullah to rise from there again,” CM Omar said.
In the same momentum, he added, “Notwithstanding this debacle, I’ll be able to stand up again, for sure. However, will Ruhullah ever be able to rise in Budgam again or not – this only he (Ruhullah), himself, will decide. Anyway, whatever happened, happened! Now (in the aftermath), what the organisation has to do, it will do.”
With regard to questions about the defeat of NC in Budgam after decades, the Chief Minister said that the issue would be thoroughly discussed and analysed by the party.
“We contested the election to win. We wanted Budgam’s progress, its people’s welfare. Our desire was that they could continue to enjoy a close and warm relationship with the government. But probably the Budgam people wanted something else. Now on our part, we will analyse this result to find out our lapses and examine what and where we need to amend things,” he said.
“If there's a need to bring some organisational changes to the National Conference, we will think about it. And in case there is a need to bring some changes in the government (functioning), even on that account, we will do an exercise,” CM Omar asserted.
“The verdict has just come out today. To take any step in haste will only damage us. In Srinagar, I’ll meet NC president Jenab Farooq Sahib and will request him to call a party working committee meeting in the days to come, where we will discuss not only Budgam but Nagrota (results) as well, in detail. Following it, whatever decisions are required will be taken,” he stated.
BUDGAM WAS NEVER AN EASY ELECTORAL BATTLE
While responding to questions about the by-poll results (of Budgam and Nagrota), where NC performed dismally, the Chief Minister said that Budgam was a difficult electoral battle and he was aware of it.
In the same breath, he took a dig at the alliance partner Congress as well, saying that the Bihar election results almost diminished his own worries.
“When I look at the Bihar (assembly election) results, then I feel less perturbed over my (party’s) defeat. Because I already knew that the Budgam election would not be an easy proposition for us. Budgam has its own peculiar circumstances. It has a very large section (in Budgam) that does not vote on issues. In Budgam, votes are not given on the basis of work done or performance. Budgam has a large chunk of voters who vote for individuals,” the Chief Minister remarked.
“Therefore, I was already aware that in the given scenario, the Budgam contest would not be an easy, smooth affair for us. But when I look at the situation in Bihar and mull over a pertinent fact. I noticed that it was the place which drew large crowds during ‘Vote-Chori Padyatra’,” he stated.
CONGRESS AND BIHAR ELECTIONS
Subtly referring to the ‘failure of Congress’ vote-chori campaign’, CM Omar said, “Following the Yatra (foot-march), Congress thought it would be able to win many seats. Probably, it was the end result of Yatra that seat-sharing became a problematic affair. However, when we have a cursory glance at election results, they reveal no signs of anti-incumbency for the incumbent Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar.”
He stated that other states would draw lessons from Nitish Kumar’s victory in Bihar.
“In fact, he (Nitish) has converted anti-incumbency to incumbency and, taking advantage of his being in power, has won elections. I’ve heard that he will become the Chief Minister for the record 10th time. This, in itself, is not an insignificant matter. It is good and it will be a learning experience for other states too to analyse after all what he (Nitish) has done for the voters and which other states too can replicate,” CM Omar said. He asserted that one significant thing to notice was what Nitish Kumar did for women, irrespective of caste and religion, specifically by launching some women-oriented schemes. “They worked to his full advantage,” the Chief Minister opined.
