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Gulmarg : Asserting that it’s “good” if Bharatiya Janata Party doesn’t have any agenda of carving out Jammu as a separate state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said (BJP) and its few friends in Kashmir had initiated this debate.
Responding to BJP leader Tarun Chug’s claim that demands for Jammu’s separation stem from the National Conference (NC) CM Omar, according to the news agency, told reporters here that it was the BJP that ignited the controversy. “The BJP MLAs started this debate. How many of them should I name? We never wanted Jammu and Kashmir to be separated,” the Chief Minister said.
He reiterated his party’s long-standing stance on maintaining the territorial and administrative unity of the region.
CM Omar also recalled his party’s opposition to the separation of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir, stating that he still believes Ladakh should be reintegrated with J&K. “We were against Ladakh being separated from Jammu and Kashmir, and we still want it to become part of J&K,” he said.
Referring to recent concerns over selection results in the judiciary where majority of the candidates are from Jammu region, CM Omar said, “Disparities should not be viewed through the lens of religion or regional bias. In selection list for medical seats the trend was opposite. We should stop seeing everything through the prism of religion and region and leave it to merit,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that if there are genuine allegations of wrongdoing, the government is ready to act. “If you tell me a fraud has been committed, I will investigate it. But we should not play politics on merit,” he warned.
Omar also cautioned that politicising such issues could have serious consequences, recalling past events. “It is the same politics that was played in Jammu which led to the closure of a medical college,” he said.
CM also expressed optimism for hosting the Khelo India Games on schedule this season, pinning hopes on fresh snowfall after last year’s postponement due to snow shortages.
While inspecting complaints over snow clearance, electricity disruptions and technical snags in the newly launched ski lift in Gulmarg, CM Omar said technical faults will be cleared as soon as possible. “Won’t leave from here until that gets restored”.
Highlighting snow’s dual role in boosting tourism and averting summer water scarcity, CM said more precipitation is expected soon, which is a positive sign for the valley’s economy.
The Chief Minister described the upcoming budget as people-friendly, similar to previous years, aimed at easing public inconveniences.
CM Omar also said that weather challenges have slashed power supply from the targeted 1700 MW daily to just 100 MW amid gusty winds and snow, though levels crossed 1500 MW by last night. “Far-flung areas are yet to receive it, but officials have assured full restoration today”—(KNO)
