Srinagar, May 8 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the BJP of indulging in “blackmail politics” over the issue of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and said the delay in cabinet expansion was linked to the Union Territory status and not due to any fear or division within the ruling National Conference.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, Omar Abdullah said there was complete unity within the National Conference and rejected speculation about any internal political instability.
“There is no Eknath Shinde in the National Conference. All our legislators are united,” Omar Abdullah said while responding to remarks made by the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly.
The Chief Minister said the Leader of Opposition appeared “impatient” to become a minister in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is obvious that the LoP is impatient to sit on the chair of Jammu and Kashmir’s minister,” he remarked.
Referring to the delimitation exercise conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah alleged that the process was designed to politically benefit the BJP and its allies.
“We suffered their delimitation and we know about delimitation. It was done only to benefit BJP and BJP’s friends,” he said.
The Chief Minister further clarified that the cabinet expansion had not been delayed due to any political fear or instability within the government but because Jammu and Kashmir has not yet regained full statehood.
“Cabinet expansion has stopped because we have not been given the status of a state. Cabinet expansion has not stopped because of fear,” he said.
Accusing the BJP of attempting to obstruct the functioning of the elected government, Omar Abdullah said the party was unwilling to allow smooth governance in Jammu and Kashmir until it returns to power.
“The statements of the LoP show that until BJP forms a government here, they will neither let us work properly nor restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He further alleged that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were being “threatened in the name of statehood” and said those who voted for the BJP should remember that the party was engaging in “blackmail politics”.
Omar Abdullah also referred to Supreme Court observations and constitutional precedents regarding government formation, stating that the single largest party should be invited to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House.
“There is no reason to stop this process. BJP should be allowed to form a government. If they prove their majority in the Assembly, they will remain. If they fail to prove it, they will have to resign,” he added. (JKNS)
