Why wasn’t anger of Jammuites reflected in elections: CM Omar

Jammu, Oct 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday expressed wonderment as to why Jammuites’ anger against the previous ruling dispensation, as was the general perception, did not find any reflection in the polling booths.

This was his maiden visit to Jammu after taking over the reins of J&K yet again as the Chief Minister.

In his first date with Jammu in his new stint as the Chief Minister, Omar tried to strike right chords with all sections of society.

He said that his party appointed a Deputy Chief Minister from Jammu to answer those who used to brand “National Conference as a dynastic party”.

“We did so although there was no compulsion for us to appoint a Deputy Chief Minister. We did so as we want to run an all inclusive government, serving and listening to all the people of J&K,” he said.

In the same vein, he targetted his adversaries and also gently prodded the alliance partner, without naming anyone.

“Immediately after the election results, some people geared up their propaganda machinery spreading canards that Jammu would be ignored and Jammu electorate would be punished for not voting in favour of National Conference, alliance partner Congress or other coalition candidates. But I made it clear the very first day that this government would belong to all and would serve all, irrespective of voting patterns. We would serve them also equally who did not vote for us,” he reminded the audience, his first statement after his oath-taking ceremony.

“There was no compulsion for us to appoint a Deputy Chief Minister, unlike the previous regimes. Earlier also there were Deputy Chief Ministers from Jammu but they were due to compulsion of coalition politics like Mufti Muhammed Sayeed had Mangat Ram Sharma as his deputy; Ghulam Nabi Azad had a Deputy Chief Minister (Muzaffar Husain Baig) from Kashmir. When I became the Chief Minister heading NC-Congress coalition in my earlier stint, Tara Chand was made the Deputy Chief Minister, again due to compulsions of coalition politics,” he recalled.

Omar noted that so far Congress had not taken a call to be part of the new cabinet.

“But still we appointed a Deputy Chief Minister and that too from the same party (NC) to which the Chief Minister belonged. This is an answer for those who during the elections used to point fingers at the National Conference describing it as a “party of Muslims.” They would say that NC had no place for others but Muslims,” he said.

“They (political opponents) would paint NC as a Kashmir-centric party which was bound to ignore Jammu. NC used to be branded as a dynastic party which would serve the interests of its first family only. But see, we have appointed a Deputy Chief Minister, who is a Hindu from Jammu and has nothing to do with my family. Now what would they (opponents) say? Do they have any answers? We too have many questions to ask them but I will not use this opportunity to indulge in politicking as people have answered them,” Omar took a jibe, though obliquely, at BJP and its leadership, which had targetted NC as a dynastic party during electioneering.

He vowed that his government would work for all the people of J&K with any prejudice. “Elections are over and your elected government is in the saddle. We will address all the issues of people, who felt dejected after the collapse of democratically elected government in 2018. I assure you that now your voice will not get drowned in the darkness of disappointment,” he said.

Earlier Omar was accorded a rousing reception by party workers and leaders as he reached the party office.

At the very outset of his address, he mentioned about “machinations by the political adversaries to finish the National Conference (NC).”

“It was very heartening to see a large crowd of exuberant National Conference workers here as during the last 8-10 years, all out efforts were made not just to weaken but to finish it (NC). Every trick in their kitty was used to meet this objective. Our colleagues were threatened, intimidated, coerced while some other colleagues were lured with varied kinds of enticement,” Omar stated, indirectly targetting BJP.

He said that NC, notwithstanding this onslaught by political adversaries, remained strong as its veterans acted like its strong pillars, and did not leave the party in the lurch. “A few of them definitely left with the misperception that their departure would finish the party. But it did not happen due to the strong cadre of workers, who demonstrated yet again that the strength of NC does not rest with its top leadership but with its ground-level workers,” the Chief Minister said.

He asserted that NC drew its strength from the Almighty; the people of J&K and the party's loyal and committed workers. “Who could finish us when the Almighty was there with us as a guiding force,” Omar said, while reciting a couplet.

“They (adversaries) had used all the dirty tricks to finish us; in the given circumstances, who could have imagined this kind of result (overwhelming win for NC). But I would salute the people of J&K, who used their power to vote judiciously and elected their representatives,” Omar said.

At this point, he obliquely hinted at the alliance partner Congress’ failure to bolster strength of Congress-NC.

“Here there’s a question. Could we procure more seats? Yes, we could have; at least we were anticipating it from others,” he said. “Nevertheless, I’m thankful to voters for each and every seat they have given to us. I also express my gratitude to all those independent candidates, who supported the alliance without seeking any favour for themselves. When we spoke to them, their only concern was the welfare of people of J&K, who lost their voice in 2018,” Omar said, while referring to independent MLA Bani Rameshwar Singh and other MLAs sharing the dais with him.

“Delimitation was conducted to benefit a particular party, reservation was brought and the Government machinery was misused. All tactics were used to win elections but they failed. We have won elections. That was an easy thing to do. Difficulty level begins post election as now we will have to fulfil aspirations of people, bring them out of the morass of disappointment and bridge the gulf between Government and the people,” he said.

Referring to the welcome speech of senior party leader and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadotra, Omar said, “Sadhotra Sahib mentioned Jammu’s issues. I’m compelled to ask why this anger (against the previous regime) has not been reflected in the polling booths. In Kashmir, Chenab Valley, Rajouri-Poonch, this anger was reflected in the polling booths which ensured our victory.”

“We used to hear that Jammu people were angry over the Darbar Move issue, Smart meters, inflated power bills, unemployment, and water scarcity. However, this anger did not find any manifestation. If there is no anger, then it is alright, there is nothing to do more. But if they were angry, why did they not demonstrate? Why voted for one side? What is the reason for this?” he questioned.

“Nevertheless, we will not run the government on vote patterns. Elections are over, the government is in the saddle. Our workers, too, have a lot of aspirations. They have not visited the Secretariat or the DC offices for long. But I request them - Please don’t resort to “First day, first show. Have patience. Give at least a week or so to the officers to acclimatise with the change,” Omar urged NC workers.

“I’ve also given instructions to the officers in the Secretariat. All the projects made for Panchayat, DDC or BDC level where the public representatives were not consulted, should be reviewed. Our connection with the people should not be broken. This is the biggest danger in government formation that a gulf emerges between the rulers and the voters. I’ll ensure that this does not happen. Officers will realise that the communication is not only through officers but through people,” he assured them.

TOPSY-TURVY LS POLLS’ RESULT

Omar also mentioned his loss at the hustings during Lok Sabha polls.

“This year, being the election year, we did nothing but politics. The year began with the preparations for parliamentary polls. When (LS) elections were over, some results demonstrated a topsy-turvy trend. In my case, it was actually “hitting the rock bottom.” This had unnerved me. I was not able to understand how I would gain my momentum back. But Allah is all merciful. My colleagues would try to boost my morale saying that it (loss) happened as there’s something better in store for me. I would listen to them but kept wondering what’s good for me in a defeat,” he said, adding, “Many officers, colleagues, even friends, treated me as a “finished entity” then.”

Omar, who was in his element, also took a dig at “sycophancy culture” intrinsic to power corridors.

In his inimitable manner, he explained how “power” brought him back those who had turned their backs in the last 5 years and they were trying to cosy up to him yet again.

“There were people who did not respond to my salutations in the last five years. Now they are not tired of sending me messages. I am amazed at the wonderful as well as weird ways of nature. During the last five years, they did not send me even a single message asking about my well-being or if they could do anything for me. But nowadays when I wake up, their “Good Morning, Sir” messages greet me; in the afternoon and evening, there would be queries about my lunch and dinner menu or asking if they should send me anything. At 10 pm, they would send “Good night, Sir” messages, wishing me “calm and serene sleep”,” Omar mirthfully narrated, evoking laughter in the audience.

“But these things should not affect us in any way. We need to be cautious against becoming arrogant. God forbid, if it happens, the same people who have brought us to power this time will punish us and throw us out of power. We need to remember that we are here to serve. Ownership is with the people of J&K. We should not misuse our power,” he said.

“Our only effort will be to work 24X7 to redress your grievances and bring smiles back on your faces, which we could not see in the last 6-8 years. We will work for both provinces of J&K with the same dedication,” Omar said.

He wound up with an encouraging note for “aspirants” in the party.

“Those colleagues, who were aspiring for their promotions, should not feel disheartened. We have been given five years (to rule). As of now, J&K is a UT (Union Territory). It will not remain so (UT) for long. We will get back our rights, snatched from us. We will continue our struggle. There is no need to get angry or disappointed,” Omar said.