Need to decongest Srinagar, existing assets could be monetized
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 1: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of peddling lies regarding the status of Urdu to distract public attention from their political alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking to reporters in Pampore, Omar accused the PDP and its leader Iltija Mufti of spreading misinformation on the issue. Iltija on Wednesday had claimed that the Chief Minister was trying to remove Urdu from the collective history of Jammu and Kashmir.
“They are doing politics based on falsehood. I challenge them to show the order where Urdu has been dropped,” he said, adding that there is a clear distinction between seeking public comments and implementing a decision.]
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The Chief Minister reiterated that no order has been issued to remove Urdu from the examination process. “We asked for feedback, but some people misrepresented it. There is no question of dropping Urdu,” he said.
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“May Allah protect us from people who cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood. Unfortunately, the leaders of this Jamaat do not see anything other than lies. We asked them to show the order where Urdu was dropped; they only showed the order where public comments were sought,” he said.
Omar expressed surprise over the controversy surrounding a proposal to drop Urdu from recruitment examinations for key revenue posts and took a swipe at PDP leader Iltija Mufti’s understanding of the administrative process.
“She is a young girl, but she is educated. Do I have to teach her more?” he said.
The Chief Minister said the file remains pending with him and has not been approved.
“I have neither cleared it nor will I. It was moved by the department, but we sought public feedback as it is our responsibility as an elected Government,” he added.
Omar said that by raising the Urdu issue, the PDP is attempting to divert attention on allegations that it helped the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections in J&K.
“They helped the BJP and do not want people to focus on that, so they have raised the issue of Urdu. Whatever we are facing today is due to the PDP facilitating the BJP in J&K. Internally, they are aiding the BJP,” he alleged.
The Chief Minister dismissed exit polls predicting a BJP victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that the projections would be proven wrong once results are declared.
He said exit polls have often failed to accurately reflect electoral outcomes.
Referring to the previous West Bengal Assembly elections, he noted that most exit polls had forecast a BJP win, but the final results differed significantly.
“So far, no exit polls have been correct. Five years ago, all exit polls predicted victory for the BJP, but the outcome was otherwise,” he said.
He added that the results would soon provide clarity. “By Monday, when we take the salute at the Secretariat, results will start to emerge.”
He said the exit polls would be proven wrong, adding that some agencies did not release projections as they may have anticipated different outcomes.
On the rising prices of essential commodities, Omar said price hikes were likely after the conclusion of elections in key states across the country.
The Chief Minister called for an end to the conflict in West Asia. “There is no justification for war. I hope the US shows wisdom so that the conflict ends and fuel prices come down,” he said.
On electoral integrity, Omar said he does not believe in pre-poll rigging but stressed the importance of safeguarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after polling.
He also alleged manipulation through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process by the Election Commission of India, warning that any irregularities could have serious implications.
The Chief Minister on the occasion inaugurated 368 newly constructed residential quarters for government employees at Sempora in Pampore, developed across 23 blocks at an estimated cost of Rs 90.65 crore.
He said the Government ensured timely completion of accommodation facilities ahead of the Darbar Move, adding that the structures would be allotted to employees.
Omar underscored the need to decongest Srinagar, suggesting that existing Government housing assets in areas such as Jawahar Nagar and the MLA hostel could be monetised while new residential clusters are developed for employees, senior officers and legislators.
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