Congress is not part of our government…Big statement by Jammu and Kashmir CM Abdullah

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made it clear in a conversation with the media on Friday that Congress is not a part of his government. In the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections held in the middle of this year, the National Conference and Congress contested the elections in alliance. The National Conference got an absolute majority in the elections and the government was formed under the leadership of Omar Abdullah. Omar Abdullah was addressing the media persons of the cabinet meeting on Friday.

When asked about the election promise of the National Conference regarding full statehood and the return of Article 370, he said, ‘From the first day we have been trying to get the state status of Jammu and Kashmir again. There are some things (in the context of Article 370) that people want, but we cannot fulfill it. Because Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory.’

Recently, the National Conference brought a proposal in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding talks for the ‘restoration of special status (Article 370) and constitutional guarantees’. When asked about the Congress’ stand on this, CM Abdullah said, ‘Our government has brought this proposal in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and MLAs of most parties including Congress, except BJP, supported it. The important thing is that the proposal was passed.

A door has opened. Congress is not a part of our government, it is supporting us from outside. During the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, BJP targeted Congress on this issue. Then Congress became helpless and had to retreat from its stand. But it will not make any difference. The Chief Minister said that some people criticized my government and said that there was nothing in our proposal brought in the assembly. He asked, ‘If there was nothing in the proposal, then why do Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah talk about it repeatedly. There must be something in the proposal, which both of them raise this issue repeatedly.’

Responding to another question asked about the release of political prisoners, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, ‘Law and order and security in Jammu and Kashmir is under the jurisdiction of the Center. Despite this situation, we have been successful in making the verification process easier. I had said in my speech in the assembly that verification has been made a weapon. Steps have been taken to make it easier and more progress is expected in this regard.’

He said, ‘After Jammu and Kashmir gets the status of a full state, our government will pursue the cases of political prisoners and ensure their release.’ Regarding today’s cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, ‘An important decision was taken to form a three-member cabinet sub-committee, which will take a holistic approach in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s directions.

The committee will submit a report to the cabinet and we will see to what extent we can go to rationalize the reservation policy.’ When asked whether power cuts will improve in winter, CM Omar said – I have directed the power department to ensure less cuts in areas where theft is less. I hope to see improvement in the power situation in Kashmir this winter.