‘PAGD ready to meet anyone, even BJP’
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 8: Former J&K Chief Minister and vice president of National Conference, Omar Abdullah today said that he did not see any possibility of early Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to media-persons at Kalakote in district Rajouri today, Omar said, “ I don’t see any possibility of holding Assembly elections in J&K very soon.”
“If there would have been no Delimitation Commission, there were chances of Assembly polls, but the Government has set up the Delimitation Commission which is yet to start the work at the ground level due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus,” Omar said.
The National Conference leader further said the Delimitation Commission has not probably met so far due to COVID-19. The Commission has to deliberate, carry out field visits and prepare a report for submission to the Government as yet.
Responding to another question about the controversial statement of PDP president and PAGD vice chairperson, Mehbooba Mufti on the tricolor, Omar said, “She and her party have already clarified party’s position. Perhaps her words were taken otherwise. I have nothing much to say on the matter.”
When asked about removal of NPP patron. Prof Bhim Singh from his party position for attending meeting of the PAGD in Jammu, Omar said, “It is unfortunate. Infact, the amalgam is ready to meet anyone, even BJP leaders.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Bhim Singh had attended the meeting of the PAGD at the Bathindi residence of National Conference president, Farooq Abdullah on Saturday. The PAGD is an alliance of seven mainstream political parties of J&K, including the NC and PDP, that are demanding restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Sacking of NPP leader from his post is unfortunate. We have never said that we will meet only those who accept our opinion,” Omar maintained.
“We were ready to meet everyone, even BJP leaders, although if they would have come, they would have said ‘we do not accept your slogan of restoration of Articles 370 and Article 35- A. We would have listened to them as well,” the former J&K Chief Minister said.
Omar said, “ We have never said that we will meet like-minded people only.”
“Singh, in fact, spoke differently and told us that he does not accept Article 35-A and will only accept Article 370 if certain changes are made to it,” Omar added.
The NC vice president said he did not think there was a need to remove Bhim Singh from his post, but it is the internal matter of the party (NPP).
Terming the first meeting of the PAGD in Jammu on Saturday as “successful”, he said that around 26 delegations with different thoughts met them.
“The aim for the Jammu visit was to meet all sections of society and people of different opinions, whether in the form of organisations, delegations or individuals. We have been successful in this to a large extent and our meetings with the people will continue,” Omar added.
He said if the PAGD was to meet only like-minded people, then they would have stayed back in Kashmir and had not moved to Jammu.
The Gupkar Alliance leadership at the meeting also announced that parties which are part of the amalgam will fight the upcoming District Development Council elections unitedly.
When asked whether this unity will continue during the Assembly elections, he said there is no chance of early elections and it will be premature to say anything at this stage.
Earlier, Omar Abdullah accompanied by Devinder Singh Rana- Provincial president and ex-MLC TS Wazir visited Kalakote to meet family members of senior NC leader and former Legislator, Thakur Rachpal Singh who died of COVID-19 on September 7, 2020.
“I have come here to express my condolences to the family and workers of the party on the demise of my colleague as I could not visit them till date. There is no political motivation behind the visit. I have come here to express my sympathies and stand with them,” he said.
During his Kalakote visit, Omar along with Rana also addressed a large gathering of the party workers.
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