Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 26: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today denied any political reasons for his New Delhi visit and dismissed that his party National Conference (NC) was divided on the key issues on Kashmir.
Omar took to Twitter to refute suggestions that his visit was linked to moves for formation of an Advisory Council.
“Finally I am in Delhi for the first time since 3rd August 2019. There is nothing political about my visit, whether linked to the matter above or the political Advisory Council reportedly being formed. I need a change of scene and some medical follow up and that is why I’m here”, Omar tweeted.
His comments come in backdrop of perceived differences between two senior party leaders Tanvir Sadiq and Agha Ruhullah Mehdi over the events of August 5 last which saw virtual abrogation of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar maintained that the NC remained committed to challenging, “using all lawful means”, what happened in August last year. He said that the views expressed by both the leaders are personal.
“@RuhullahMehdi & @tanvirsadiq are both valued colleagues and friends. As far as I’m concerned that both are entitled to an opinion and to disagree with each other. Neither’s views, expressed in private capacity, change the stand NC has taken in the SC & outside regarding 5th Aug”, he tweeted.
Omar Abdullah tweeted: “Besides that we are a democratic party and we value all shades of opinion within our wider family though sometimes it is better them amongst ourselves before we decide to make them public. I’ve burnt my hands a few times by not following my own advice.”
A newspaper article by Sadiq, the political secretary to Omar when he was the Chief Minister, on the political roadmap ahead skipped any reference to Article 370 which prompted Mehdi, party’s ‘chief spokesman, to comment: “This provokes a question in my mind. What is a political process for you? Only an election? If we go with a reason and stand our course, even being detained is a part of political process.”
A Twitter war broke out between Sadiq and Mehdi, following which he removed party chief spokesperson designation from his Twitter handle today.
Mehdi said in a series of tweets that holding Assembly elections in the Union Territory should not be the only goal of mainstream politicians.
“Many of my colleagues are detained under PSA. Others including me are put under house detention. My heart goes out to them and I wish and pray for their immediate release. But, believe me their and our (house) detention is a political message and process itself,” Mehdi said.
Sadiq, in an apparent reference to the former Minister’s criticism, said he does not need a certificate from anyone and it was easy to comment sitting with one’s family and occasionally tweeting to show how brave they are.
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