I don’t want to talk about him: CM
He is making it personal, ready for it: Ruhullah
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Ahead of bypolls in Budgam Assembly constituency next month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party colleague Member Parliament Agha Ruhullah Mehdi today locked horns making the differences public.
When asked about criticism by Ruhullah on the functioning of his Government, Omar told reporters here that he does not want to talk about him (Ruhullah). “Who are you bringing on the same platform? There is a vast difference between the two (Mian Altaf and Ruhullah),” he said.
On criticism of his Government by MP Mian Altaf Ahmad, the Chief Minister said he respected the advice of the veteran party colleague.
“I respect Altaf a lot. He is a senior leader of the NC. After reading his statement, I talked to him over the phone. He has said from the chair I am sitting on, I should make statements after thinking them through. My father also tells me the same. So, that way, there is no difference between my father and Mian Altaf, and I see him as a father figure. He is my senior colleague; his advice is respected,” he said.
Asked about the Budgam bypolls, Omar admitted that internal politics in the party had increased the complexities there.
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“Any bye-election is a challenge for a Government. This challenge is multiplied by the complexities of the voter distribution in Budgam. It is also multiplied by some element of internal politics that is playing out. That said, I am hopeful that the people of Budgam will make the right choice,” he said. Without naming the estranged party MP Aga Ruhullah, the Chief Minister said if Budgam is less developed, those representing the constituency are responsible for it.
“People usually say the nearer Budgam is to Srinagar, the less its development has been. We want to correct that. Budgam has been represented, but it has not been developed. The people responsible for that are those who have represented Budgam for so many years. But, it is okay if they could not do it; we will do it,” he added.
Ruhullah also hit out at the Chief Minister accusing him of ignoring the “existential crisis” facing the people of J&K.
Speaking to reporters, the MP said that the questions he has been raising were fully in line with the NC’s agenda and dismissed suggestions that he was acting against the party.
“He (CM) is making it personal, and if he wants that, let that be – I am ready for it,” he said.
“But first answer me: Kashmiris are fighting an existential crisis. We have thousands of youngsters jailed – does he know their addresses? Has anything been done for them?”
Ruhullah said the abrogation of Article 370 remained the “fight for existence” and a “core NC promise.”
“This nation was promised a fight for its existence. What has happened to that in the last one year apart from shawls and bouquets?” he asked.
Criticising the Government’s performance, the MP questioned the delivery of employment pledges.
“In 2024, it was said that one lakh jobs would be given in five years. Can anyone give me the address of 20,000 people who have got jobs in the last year?” he said.
Ruhullah also alleged that little had been done to counter the “attack on cultural and religious identities” and said those abandoning NC’s principles were betraying the people’s trust.
“Those who are treading a path against our principles – why should I care whether I am with them or not? The people have voted for protection and identity, not for individuals,” he said.
Defending his stance, the MP insisted he had remained faithful to the NC’s founding ideals.
“What I talk about is the NC’s agenda. I have not taken a different path – they are on the wrong path. If anyone has to come back on the right path, and apologise, it is them,” he said.
Ruhullah said that those who fail to uphold the party’s commitments would be rejected by the people. “Nobody matters – what matters is the mandate, the hope, and the responsibility given to us by the people,” he said.
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