There's been systematic series of U-turns: Omar on 100 days of PDP-BJP govt

Srinagar: Describing PDP-BJP dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir as a “U-turn” government, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday attacked the ruling coalition on its completion of 100 days, saying it has failed to deliver on the promises it made and developmental works had come to a standstill.

“Monday marks the 100 day of the PDP-BJP government that came on the back of the Modi-Mufti accord. This government has symbolised itself as a U-turn government. A government that was formed on the back of biggest possible U-turn, which was the coming together of the two parties which fought polls on a single plank of keeping each other out of power.

“Whether it be the PDP that fought elections in Kashmir saying that only they could stop the BJP, or the BJP that fought the election saying that only they could stop the family rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Both these parties performed a miraculous u-turn and came together,” Omar told reporters in the capital.

Omar, the working president of National Conference (NC), alleged that there has been a series of u-turns from day one of the government.

“At that point in time (when the government was formed), we were under the mistaken impression that this will be their only U-turn.

“But since then, whether there are issues within that agenda or outside, it has been a systematic series of U-turns from day one,” he said.

Omar claimed that the government has made u-turns on various issues like giving credit to Pakistan and separatists for the Assembly elections or release of political prisoners.

“Whether it be the u-turn of the chief minister giving credit for the elections on day one first to Pakistan and the second to separatists and then in Assembly withdrawing that credit and giving it to the election commission, security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The U-turn over arrests particularly the release of what they call political prisoners. The U-turn on flood relief. This was a government that was formed on a promise of assistance and aid to the flood victims. People right now are screaming for relief and that relief is not forthcoming. In fact, if anything, salt is being rubbed in their wounds when they are being handed meagre cheques of Rs 37,” he said.

The NC leader said there was a U-turn on the youth recruitment policy as well.

“The PDP was at the forefront of opposing a policy that my government had brought in some years ago. In fact, if anything, the party fought on a single point in the Parliament elections last year when they used this policy to turn the youth against us.

“And at present, it is the same PDP that is trying to use a similar, actually even more draconian, employment policy that is designed to open the door for backdoor appointments through an ordinance, which fortunately the Governor, so far, has been reluctant to approve and we hope that reluctance will continue,” he said.

Omar said the party would go to court if the government goes ahead with the proposal.

“We have not yet been given a reason to approach the courts because the ordinance has been rejected by the Governor. No fresh move has been made and once any fresh move is made in that direction we will have no hesitation to first knock on the doors of the Governor and then, if necessary, knock on the doors of the courts, if necessary going as far as to the Supreme Court,” he said.

Omar said the developmental works in the state had come to a standstill even after the chief minister had said the alliance with BJP was for opening the doors of development in the state.

“I recall the chief minister had said that his desire to come together with the BJP, turning down offers of support from both the NC and the Congress, was because he wanted to open the doors of development in the state with the free flow of money and resources into Jammu and Kashmir.

“Today people are crying for money. My understanding is that more than Rs 900 crores worth bills are pending in the treasury and there is no money to be seen. Developmental activities have come to an absolute standstill,” he said.

PTI