Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 27: The opposition parties today lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party-Bhartiya Janta Party (PDP-BJP) Government with National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abullah saying that the Government lacks direction and vision and its first 16-months was a time wasted.
In his 45 minutes speech in the Legislative Assembly on the motion of thanks to Governor’s address, Omar said: “The 16-months of this Government has been wasted as there is nothing to show in terms of promises made by the two parties in their Agenda of Alliance.”
The former Chief Minister said the Coalition Government has no vision or direction as it was formed under a compulsion. “There was a superficial mention of corruption free and development oriented Government in the Governor’s address. This is nothing new and perhaps there has been no Government which has not spoken about these issues. The truth is that there is no vision or direction in this Government. How can it have as it was formed by Mehbooba under compulsion”, he said.
Omar said that although Governor’s address reflects report card of the Government and its vision but this year’s Governor’s address lacked any such thing. He questioned the implementation of Agenda of Alliance, declaration of smart cities and promised return of power projects. He said that for the development of the State he will be the first person to support Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and his party won’t become a roadblock in genuine developmental projects.
The NC leader said the Chief Minister has made many flip flops on various issues and it was likely that doubts will persist about her decision making. “In the past 16 months, you have not stuck to one line. In the elections, you sought votes on the plank that you wanted to stop BJP as Omar Abdullah is an old sinner who might join hands with BJP again as he was part of the Vajpayee Government at centre”, he said.
“After the election, you were hoping that a lot will be achieved by aligning with BJP and entered into an Agenda of Alliance but so far no progress is to be seen on revocation of AFSPA, internal dialogue or restoring the regional balance,” Omar said.
The former Chief Minister reminded Mehbooba that she had sought Confidence Building Measures from the Centre before forming the Government and asked what transpired between her and Prime Minister Narinder Modi that she formed the Government. “Your spokespersons went media saying that you want assurances on AFSPA and return of power projects to the State. You met the Prime Minister and emerged satisfied enough to form the Government. So far there is no clarity what assurances you got from the Prime Minister. We want to know,” he said, adding BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, soon after the meeting, told the media that Mehbooba had not sought any assurances but only blessings of the Prime Minister. If you only wanted blessings, you would have got it on day one. What was the two months wait for,” he asked.
Omar while pointing towards Mehbooba told her that it will be difficult for her to trust people and people too have lacked trust on her as she sought votes for keeping BJP out of power and later joined hands with them. “I don’t understand under which circumstances you refused to accept our hand”, he said.
NC leader accused, Mehbooba led government of making mistake after mistake and said every situation has been mishandled. He raised the issue of Handwara killings, saying while the girl’s security had been compromised by releasing her video, the police also has been vilified due to this case.
Omar said the same happened in NIT issue where the police was replaced by CRPF for security at the controversy struck institute last month. “It is the police which protect us and put their lives on the line. You have to protect the police if they are right and take action if anyone is wrong,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said while the Governor’s address reiterated Government’s commitment to protect the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, it had failed to defend the status before the Supreme Court when NEET was extended to the State.
Omar said while he was criticised by PDP for detaining separatists during his tenure, the ruling party now was following the same practice. “Where is the battle of ideas you spoke of. They don’t take you into confidence”, he said.
The NC leader said while returning of power projects and revocation of AFSPA was part of the Agenda of Alliance between the PDP and BJP, the Union Government led by BJP has rejected both the demands. He said the industrial policy of the new Government was rolled back within 24 hours following opposition by certain quarters.
“There is no clarity on return of Kashmiri Pandits or establishment of Sainik colonies in Kashmir. We are not against these but the Government needs to clear its stand. It cannot blame everything on the previous Government,” Omar said.
“The Prime Minister yesterday said as soon as the land is made available the colony for Kashmiri Pandits will be set up. Are you providing the land? We are for return of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslim and Sikh migrants but we don’t want a Jagti like camp in Kashmir,” he said.
He also raised the issue of AIIMS hospital, smart cities, IIT and IIM. “Land has been identified for AIIMS in Jammu but not in Kashmir. Jammu got an IIT and there was not a murmur against it in Kashmir. However, if an IIM or smart city is sanctioned for Srinagar, there will be ruckus in Jammu,” he said asking where is the promise of bridging the regional gap.
Omar asked Mehbooba to come clear on the issues and don’t hide behind the spokesperson. “You can’t hide behind your spokesperson. He is not elected, you are elected”, Omar said.
Congress MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora said while his party boycotted the Governor’s address, there was nothing in it. Referring to PDP-BJP alliance, Jora said “the soft separatist Mehbooba Mufti has been tamed by hardline Hindutva organisations. What has come out of it? A Sanghi Sarkar.” He said Mehbooba will have to give up her green cloth and wave a saffron flag in the alliance with the BJP.
The BJP president and MLA Satpaul Sharma while seconding the motion said that the coalition government is progressing with its agenda of providing good governance. He said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi wished to see the peaceful Jammu and Kashmir for which various initiatives have been taken up.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, PDP MLA Javid Hassan Beig said that the State is marching ahead on the road of progress and prosperity. He said that the State faced tremendous hardships in different fields including Horticulture, Agriculture, Trade Business in the aftermath of 2014 floods but the present Government has taken various reformative measures to rehabilitate affected families and traders. He said that revolutionary change is being experienced in various sectors particularly education and health. He said that measures are also underway to provide more employment opportunities to the unemployed youth through skill development programs.
The independent MLA Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen stressed on the challenges faced by the State and need of Government to address them properly.
Aga Ruhullah urged the Mehbooba to create an environment of peace in Jammu and Kashmir where citizens get equal opportunity and rights. “It is the moral obligation of the Government to assure the citizens that their rights will be protected at all cost without any discrimination,” he said.
BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said that the late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wanted to integrate the people of three distinct regions of the state and bring their hearts together and government is committed towards it.
PDP MLA Shah Mohammad Tantray, also praised the steps taken by late Chief Minister for connecting Pir Panchal Valley with Kashmir and Jammu regions.
Congress MLA Mohammad Amin Bhat urged the State Government to create employment avenues for the educated unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
MLA Mian Altaf stressed on the restorations of Indo-Pak talks and easing LoC travel restrictions. He said the initiatives already taken by different governments, both at the Centre and in the State, must be taken forward.
Raja Manzoor, said the energies of the state’s highly talented youth should be channelised positively.
Jeewan Lal, praised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing financial package for Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Coalition Government will strengthen the relations between three, culturally distinct regions of the state.
MLA Gulzar Ahmad Wani, urged the Government to take steps for strengthening the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Praising late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, MLA G M Saroori, said the State Government must follow his footsteps for equitable development of all the three regions of the state. He urged the chair to issue directions to government to take opposition along on the road of development.
MLA Dilip Singh Parihar, praised the Government for improving power infrastructure in Jammu region and also for carrying out reforms in the Eduction sector.
The PDP MLA Abdul Rahim Rather, praised the State Government for taking historic steps towards restoration of peace in the State.
PC MLA Bashir Ahmad Dar, said coalition is committed for betterment of lives of people.
Congress MLA Haji Abdul Rashid urged the Coalition Government to fulfill the promises made to the people of J&K on economic front.
MLA Anjum Fazili, said the floods of September 2014 had caused massive devastation across Srinagar city and other parts of the Valley but the working of present Government has infused a sense of confidence among the people.
MLA Deldan Namgyal, said the people living in far-flung areas of the state should also taste the fruits of economic prosperity. He also called for promotions of state employees on the basis of reservations for Backward Classes.
PDP leader and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Firdous also participated in the discussion.
Opposition National Conference leader and MLC Bashir Ahmad Veeri said there was no match between what Governor Vohra said and Agenda of Alliance of ruling coalition. Referring to the first para of Governor’s address, he wondered how could be Mehbooba Mufti’s election as first woman Chief Minister of State be termed as “emancipation of women” when alleged atrocities with “our daughters are continuously occur”.
In his address, the Congress leader and MLC, Ghulam Nabi Monga said the Government’s future course of action should have been mentioned in the Governor’s address. He said the Governor’s address skipped flood victims of the State. “They are still waiting for the help of Government,” he said. Monga said the people here are still without ration and nothing has been done and even promises made during Governor’s have not been fulfilled.
The BJP MLC Ramesh Arora in his address lashed out at Opposition for “selective mention” of killings and asked them why they didn’t speak about the policemen and security personnel that lost their lives at the hands of militants. He said: “Calculated efforts are being made to demoralize the spirits (of security forces). They (Opposition) should appreciate the police and paramilitary forces.”
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