J&K is a shining example of refusal to accept two-nation theory: Omar

Agencies

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah, who presented his government’s first budget after J&K became a Union Territory, speaks to Hakeem Irfan Rashid on the challenges of working in a UT, restoration of statehood, countering the opposition BJP and plans to monetise some assets in J&K for revenue generation. Edited excerpts:

On restoration of statehood

I am very hopeful that it is only a matter of time. The commitment made to the people of J&K will be fulfilled. It is work in progress and conversation is ongoing. Obviously, there are things that are discussed at the level of PM and HM that are not for wider circulation at the moment.

On Himachal-type protection

Those aren’t conversations with the Government of India. Those are conversations for us (in the assembly). I am just talking about neighbouring states and what prevails there as opposed to what we have in J&K. I am drawing a comparison.

On being CM of a UT

If I hadn’t been the CM of a state before becoming CM of UT, I would not have known any better. I have been CM of a state for six years (2009-2014). I can see the significant differences but none of that is being put there as an excuse. It is just a statement of facts. When you take these statements out of context it appears almost as if they are statements of complaints and helplessness or something like that, it is neither. Whenever I say something (like law and order is not with the elected government) it is in context. The most recent reminder is that of what happened with (daily wage) employees before the budget (when they protested and were lathi charged by the police.) Before that, I spoke in the context of the noise BJP MLAs were making regarding Bani and Billawar (deaths of three civilians).

On LoP Sharma’s Remark

The sad fact is that Sunil Sharma is highly ill-informed of the history of J&K. His understanding and view of J&K is so deeply polarised by his politics that he can’t see the facts for what they are. The truth is that J&K is a shining example of refusal to accept the two-nation theory. As per the two-nation theory, J&K was one region that should have gone to Pakistan as it was and is a Muslim majority region. There was no reason for J&K to be part of India. But the fact that it became part of India after 1947, it is part of India, is a testament to the fact that the leadership of that time rejected the two-nation theory. So, the leader of the Opposition’s understanding of J&K is tainted by his politics.

On asset monetisation

The Centaur Hotel on (Dal Lake) is one such asset. We are looking at assets that we can monetise without difficulty in terms of employees, rehabilitation and without creating any difficulty for us right now. There are assets which are lying unused as of now, for example ITDC hotel in Gulmarg that has been lying incomplete for so long. Why can’t we look at that? There are assets elsewhere also that we can look at and consider monetising.

On failure to restore holidays

As a Union Territory we are bound by the Negotiable Instruments Act of the Government of India. We don’t have our own negotiable instruments. Our Transaction of Business Rules is a comprehensive document. I have to really go into the specifics of that to check whether we have looked at the issues of holidays. Right now, I would not be able to confirm or refute that.

On BJP criticising 2009-14 Tenure

It is because I take them on for what happened in the last 10 years. So, they are bound to take me on during my term in office. My term in office expired 10 years ago. And there is nothing about my term in office that I have not publicly accounted for and answered. And things that were regrettable I have expressed regret for. There is nothing that BJP can say inside or outside the House (J&K assembly) that can make me uncomfortable.

Read More News on