Delimitation Favoured Only BJP and Its Allies: CM Omar

Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday alleged that the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir was carried out solely to benefit the BJP and its allies.

“We have suffered because of their delimitation. And we know how the delimitation was done. It was carried out only to benefit the BJP and its allies. Now let us see what happens next,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar, as per news agency.

He said such developments expose the political intentions of the BJP. “This is how the intentions of the BJP become clear,” he said.

Referring to political developments in other states, Omar said, “Eknath Shinde left because the BJP helped him do so.”

He further said it was evident that the Leader of Opposition (LOP) was impatient to assume power in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is obvious that the LOP is impatient to occupy the Chief Minister’s chair in Jammu and Kashmir. I would only say this to the LOP,” he said.

Omar asserted that there was no internal split within the National Conference. “There is no Eknath Shinde in the National Conference. All MLAs of the National Conference stand firmly with the party,” he said.

He said the cabinet expansion had been stalled due to the absence of statehood. “The cabinet expansion has been delayed because Jammu and Kashmir has not been granted statehood. It has not stopped due to fear,” he said.

The Chief Minister alleged that Jammu and Kashmir would not be allowed to function properly or regain statehood unless the BJP formed the government. “That is why I repeatedly say that the LOP, through his statements, proves that until the BJP forms the government, they will neither allow us to function properly nor restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He urged the people to understand the political narrative surrounding statehood and accused the opposition of engaging in “blackmail politics.”

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those who voted for the BJP in the last election, should remember that the LOP and his party indulge in blackmail politics,” he said.

He added that people were being “threatened in the name of statehood.”

Referring to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court judgments, Omar said the single largest party after elections should be invited to form the government and given an opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly.

“If we go by Supreme Court judgments, there should be no President’s Rule in such situations. There are several cases where the Supreme Court has clearly stated that after elections, the single largest party should be invited to form the government,” he said.

He added that such parties should be given a chance to prove their majority in the Assembly.

Referring to the 13-day government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Omar said constitutional procedures should always be followed.

“This is what happened when Mr. Vajpayee formed the 13-day government. The President of India invited him to form the government without waiting for him to demonstrate his numbers. The 13-day government was formed,” he said.

He added that Vajpayee later resigned after failing to secure a majority. “When Mr. Vajpayee did not have the required numbers, he resigned,” Omar said.

“There is no reason to halt the democratic process,” he added.

He said any leader invited to form the government should be allowed to prove majority in the Assembly, and if unable to do so, should resign—(KNO)