BJP eyeing pro-boycott segments: Omar Abdullah

‘PDP spending money to woo voters’

Asserting that only National Conference has the “ability” to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from “sneaking into Kashmir’s political space”, the J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday admitted that the right-wing party is “eyeing at least five constituencies in the Valley which witness the boycott on the separatists’ call.”
Addressing NC supporters at Chanapora in Amira Kadal Assembly constituency here—after inspecting the Urban Health Centre constructed at Rs 20 crore—Omar said the BJP is banking on boycott in various constituencies in Kashmir in the forthcoming Assembly elections. “They are eyeing Tral, Sopore, Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal, Khanyar and a few more Assembly constituencies to make their entry into the Kashmir politics,” he said. “These constituencies observe boycott on the separatists’ call. Geelani (Hurriyat Conference chairman) should understand who the real beneficiaries of his boycott call are. It is the BJP, PDP, RSS and Jan-Sangh who benefit from the poll boycott?” 
He urged people to come out in large numbers to vote for the National Conference. “Don’t fear to cast your vote,” Omar said.
Taking a dig at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Omar said development done by his government can’t be evaluated by the opposition.  “They bulldozed shops during their regime without thinking what will happen to the poor shopkeepers. We constructed rehabilitation complexes for the shopkeepers before bulldozing their shops for construction of flyovers,” he said. “We used bulldozers to raise the bunkers of forces to the ground. 50 bunkers were removed from the Srinagar city including the one at Maisuma.”
Omar said he was surprised to see that Rs 80 crore has been spent on the development of Amira Kadal constituency alone. “If people would ignore the work done by my government and vote for the PDP in lieu of money, nobody would work in Kashmir. I am sure that PDP has got the money they are spending to woo voters from some government-sponsored scheme (during their rule). If they will give you money, take that and spent that on some good work or charity.”
He alleged that the BJP and PDP are having a “secret pact and nexus.” “NC has no relation with the BJP and neither any future. Let the PDP leaders take an oath of holy Quran and make it public that they have no relation with BJP.”
Asked how he sees the BJP’s poll slogan ‘Delhi huwi Hamari, Ab Kashmir Ki Bari’, Omar said: “NC is the only party having the capacity and ability to foil this slogan. We won’t allow them to sneak into the Kashmir politics. It won’t be Kashmir for them.”
Speaking on the occasion, NC Provincial President for Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani highlighted the performance of the Omar-led government over the past five-and-a half years. 
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Community Facility Centre constructed at the Cost of Rs 105 lakh rupees at Chanapora.
People living near LoC deserve ‘Achay Din’
Omar said people living close to the LOC deserve ‘Achay Din’ (better days) more than anybody else in India.
“It (ceasefire violations) is a matter of serious concern. They (Pakistan) are no longer confined to few older posts (at the LoC). Civilian areas are being targeted now and the civilian population is forced to migrate,” he said, replying to a query. 
Omar said he fails to understand how the Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to resolve the issue of ceasefire violations (with Pakistan) given the fact communication between the two countries stands stalled by his government. “Modi has an obligation to resolve this issue. He has promised Achay Din to people of India, but people living close to LoC deserve better days more as they have always seen bad days,” Omar said. 
On the recent cancelation of Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, Omar said the talks were not cancelled due to violation in the ceasefire agreement. “Talks were cancelled because Hurriyat leaders met Pakistan High Commissioner over a cup of tea. This cup of tea process is on for long and will continue as they (Hurriyat leaders) see it (Pakistan) as a moral support. Pakistan won’t stop it either till the overall settlement of Kashmir issue,” the Chief Minister said. “I hope there is some rethink on resumption of dialogue between the two countries.”
Omar said the meetings between Hurriyat leaders haven’t caused any harm so far. “These meetings happened during the Prime Ministerial tenures of P V Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajapayee and Manmohan Singh also,” he said.

Previous post In Jammu, Amit Shah discusses ‘Mission 44 plus’
Next post Water talks: Pak expresses concern over Kishenganga