Talking about Article 370 our right, will keep fighting for it: CM Omar

Jammu, Mar 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday reaffirmed that his government would fulfil each and every promise made in the National Conference (NC) manifesto in five years.

The CM was replying to the Debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address in the J&K Legislative Assembly.

He questioned the BJP to explain how abrogation of Article 370 benefitted J&K.

In the same breath, CM Omar asserted that his party would continue to talk about the restoration of Article 370 as it was their constitutional right.

NC MANIFESTO- SOLEMN PLEDGE

He said that his party’s manifesto was a solemn pledge made to the people of J&K and there was no deviation from its agenda.

“Our manifesto has been extensively discussed and many issues were raised. It is a well-thought-out document we prepared after extensive deliberations. That is our solemn pledge to the people of J&K. While presenting this manifesto before the people, we sought an opportunity for five years. ‘We will accomplish all these tasks and will return to you after five years with our report card’ – we told the people. Today from the floor of this august House, I reassure the people of J&K – we will stick to each and every promise made in it and fulfil them,” the CM vowed.

NO ‘MISSING POINTS’; NO LOVE LETTER

He stated that an effort was made to reflect the government’s intentions, achievements and vision for future policies through the LG’s Address.

However, the members sifted through bit by bit to pick holes by comparing it with the earlier address and pointed towards “missing points”, CM Omar said and added, “The government runs in continuation for five years and not from one address to another address. Four months ago, LG Sahib delivered his first address. Maximum points were covered in that. It is not necessary to repeat those issues which were raised four months ago. This address does not replace the one delivered four months ago but adds on. There are some members, who are probably trying to create a notion that we have maintained a studied silence over certain issues as we have not mentioned them in it now.”

Obliquely referring to People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone’s dig, CM Omar mocked that someone described it (LG’s Address) as a “love letter.”

“If we had to write a Prem-Pattar (love letter), we would have written it in the first address. The fact is – the previous address was a beginning and in this (present) address (being debated), we have made additions,” he said.

In the same breath, exuding optimism about early statehood, the CM said, “Next year, we hope that we will have a Governor by then and in the Governor’s Address, more additions will be made. This process will continue till the next five years.”

Referring to the critique of BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma, he said that he (Sham) was counting pages and paras, drawing comparisons between the two addresses.

“My intention was not to save pages. Had it been so, we would have sent the address to you, using e-governance mode. The idea behind this was only to provide you (Members) with a bit of relief. Had it been lengthier, you would have to sit longer to hear it. Tomorrow, at around 11 or 11:15 am, you would have to listen to my (budget) speech for over 2 hours or so and that too in English. Since LG Sahab had already presented a detailed vision of government four months ago we thought it proper to present a concise address this time to keep the rest of the issues for the next time,” CM Omar said explaining the reason behind “missing points.”

Further elaborating, he said, “It’s not like that we are deviating from our agenda or we have adopted silence on certain issues. Some members from both sides raised other issues and threw posers at us, with regard to development. Since the same issues would arise during the debate on budget and demands for grants, we will reply to each and every issue touched upon by members related to each and every department during the debate on LG’s Address in the days to come, for sure.”

ON ARTICLE 370

The CM pointed out that Article 370 also figured prominently during the debate.

“Again, I would refer to the address of the LoP. It was said that we were wasting time by talking about Article 370. Ironically it was discussed more by the other side (BJP) than us. In every debate, the justification to abrogate it figured. Even you (LoP) were enlisting achievements in a way; for a moment I believed I was in Parliament because your address sounded like you were debating the President’s Address and not the LG’s Address,” CM Omar took a mild dig at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma.

He pointed out that LoP mentioned big central projects including the Ring Road.

“I have only one question for you – just tell me which of these projects could not have been accomplished unless Article 370 was not abrogated. I could not get this answer to date. You mentioned works like IIT, IIM, AIIMS, Ring Road and other projects, the majority of which were initiated before 2019. But I would not enter into an argument on that. You just tell me – which development-related work has been completed, which was not possible before the abrogation of Article 370. At least mention one such work, if not today, then during the debate on budget to convince me that actually it (abrogation) paved the way for development,” the CM said mockingly.

He said that even political reservation was linked to the political reservation and asked what benefit they (BJP) granted to the (Gujjar) community with it (political reservation).

“Just count their (Gujjar MLAs’) number. They are just six but before you granted them (political) reservation, they were nine (Gujjar) MLAs,” CM Omar said.

LoP Sunil Sharma said that nine seats were reserved for Scheduled Tribe.

However, the CM rejected his contention saying, “Now you are twisting your statement. You had talked about political reservation benefits for Gujjar MLAs only. Pointing a finger at us (the ruling alliance), you said that Gujjars were given ST status but were deprived of political reservation. Now you will talk about Paharis. Two of my such (ST) colleagues have won from unreserved constituencies. On that basis, my question will be – how has Article 370 abrogation benefitted the J&K people.”

He said that another MLA colleague Shakti Parihar tried to link Article 370 with “nepotism, corruption and terrorism” in J&K.

At this point, BJP MLA and former minister Chander Prakash Ganga said that prior to abrogation, the daughters of J&K used to lose their property and citizenship (state subject) rights after marrying a person from outside (J&K).

However, CM Omar did not divert and said, “LoP was saying that Pakistan was responsible for terrorism and hence we would not talk to it. Shakti Parihar is holding Article responsible for terrorism. Tell me - Is terrorism here (in J&K) because of Pakistan or Article 370? If it is because of Article 370 then why do you object to talks with Pakistan? And if Pakistan is responsible for terrorism, then why blame Article 370 for it (terrorism).”

He also raised the issue of the surge in terror activities in Jammu post Article 370.

“Who is responsible for increased terrorist activities in Jammu? During our tenure, when S S Slathia and Sham Lal Sharma were also our ministerial colleagues, we had completely wiped out terrorism from a major portion of Jammu, making it free of terror. When did terror attacks take place in Jammu, Reasi or Rajouri Bazaar? When were pilgrims targeted (by terrorists) in the Jammu region when we were holding the power earlier in J&K. The list is long. Had Article 370 been responsible for terrorism, then terror attacks would have been stopped after its abrogation. It did not happen so (you have) failed on this account as well,” the CM took another dig.

Using his other arsenal, he said that no party could talk about nepotism as none was above the board.

“They say – Iss Hamaam Mein Sab Nagey Hain… Neither you can talk about this topic nor can we, so leave this topic of nepotism,” CM Omar said.

He asserted that if Article 370 was responsible for corruption, its abrogation would have stopped it (corruption).

“Did that happen? Who was more vociferous in raising the issue of corruption in Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the House? We had not raked it up earlier. It was referred to as the ‘Jal Jugaad Mission.’ Members from the other side raised. We the ministerial colleagues jokingly say that if the first two questions are put about JJM, it would make our job easier. Forty to 45 minutes would be spent on this leaving only Jal Shakti Minister Javed Rana facing the heat,” the CM said.

“Similarly, issues related to corruption in mining, land and misgovernance figured (in the House) besides Conversion of Land Use (CLU), which was very forcefully raised by Sham Lal Sharma – this law came post Article 370. So what has improved post Article 370? It has not stopped corruption or misgovernance. You say it will never return. We assert – we’ll get it restored. They say - Umeed Pe Duniya Kayam Hai. Hum Apni Umeed Ki Duniya Mein Rahengay… Aap Apni Duniya Mein Raho… Let’s see – whose hopes turn out to be reality and who proves right,” he said.

“But don’t tell me that nothing can change as it (abrogation) has been stamped (ratified) by the Supreme Court. Your (LoP’s) lawyer colleagues would be well aware that a decision of one court can be overturned by another court. In the Supreme Court, a three-judge bench ruling can be overturned by the five-judge bench and the seven-judge bench can overturn the decision of the five-judge bench. What will be the situation in the country in future, none can make this prophecy. I cannot. Who could foretell that having just two MPs during Rajiv Gandhi Sahib’s tenure, BJP would one day be in such a situation,” CM Omar said.

He asserted that they (NC) would continue to talk about Article 370 as it was their right granted by the constitution of the country.

“You cannot snatch our right on this account. I would not enter into debate if this was a temporary provision or not,” the CM said.