PDP in tight spot as Omar sends letter of support to Governor

Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, Jan 13: The National Conference (NC) working president and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today put its arch rival, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a tight spot, by sending letter of support for the PDP to Governor N N Vohra.
Omar in his letter urged the Governor to consult his party leadership before taking any final decision regarding the future of the present Assembly and its viability in the formation of a Government.
The letter of support for PDP was delivered to Governor by NC provincial president for Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, this afternoon.
In the communiqué Omar wrote that as a consequence of the meeting of Core Group at Srinagar yesterday, NC has offered to support to PDP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the just concluded Assembly elections.
The letter held PDP responsible for imposition of Governor’s rule. “The political impasse in the State, due to indecisiveness of the PDP has led to the imposition of the Governor’s Rule and placing of the State Assembly in suspended animation despite an overwhelming participation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the electoral process”, the letter adds.
“@JKNC_has written to Governor Vohra Sahib reiterating our offer of support to @jkpdp and asking him to call us before deciding the Assembly viability,” Omar tweeted.
The PDP spokesman, Nayeem Akhtar, told Excelsior that his party will discuss NC’s letter of support to the PDP in the proper forum of the party. “Everybody is surprised that the NC inspite of being routed in the elections has been in greater hurry in forming the Government than the party that won the elections”, he added.
Earlier, Omar presided over a five hour long meeting of NC contesting candidates including elected MLAs at party headquarters at Nawa-e-Subha Complex in Srinagar today. The meeting discussed various organizational matters and sought feedback from the contesting candidates about the Assembly elections in their constituencies.
The meeting said that the party won’t support BJP in the formation of government in the State but reiterated their unconditional support to the PDP for the formation of Government.
Reiterating the commitment of National Conference to preserve the ideological goals which have been enshrined in the party’s history, Omar said the party would never compromise on its ideals for political expediency and convenience. “National Conference is not just another political party that can adjust the rudder and set the course of political expediency at the sight of power. NC is a party founded and rooted in the ideology of dignity and empowerment – of safeguarding the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. And we remain steadfast in that mission”, he said in his address to the meeting.
The former Chief Minister also spoke about the strengthening the organizational structure of the party. “We will rejuvenate the organizational structure to be in an optimal shape where we can march forward to reclaim the position of strength that we had during the best days of our organization”, he added.
The NC is also launching a membership drive for youth. “We will also have an effective, transparent and direct membership drive that would eliminate procedural red-tape and unnecessary complexities. No hegemony should be tolerated at the grassroots level and emphasis should be laid on reaching out to as many youth as possible”, Omar said in his address.
The NC working president said that his party would reach out to the youth of the State including those who might oppose the party. “I want more and more youth to join National Conference and it is imperative that these youth are involved in policy making. They are our future and their dreams are important guiding lights for us. There will be an effective process of two-way communication with the youth and we will ensure that they are heard and their views are valued and acted on”, he added.
Omar asked the elected MLAs and the contested candidates to go to their constituencies and ensure that people’s grievances are addressed.

Follow our WhatsApp channel