Srinagar, Sep 15 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday questioned the move to implement the proposed GCC through individual states, saying the legislation should instead be brought before Parliament to establish whether the government has the numbers to pass it.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar as per news agency JKNS, Omar said the National Conference has already issued a statement on the issue, while Rajya Sabha MP Shami Oberoi has maintained that it is the Parliament’s job to legislate on such matters.
“If you have a number, bring it to Parliament. Why are you doing this through different states?” Omar said, adding that not all NDA allies are in favour of the proposal.
Referring to reports that Janata Dal United has opposed implementation of the measure in Bihar, the Chief Minister said, “If their own people are not ready for this, how can they say that it should be implemented in the whole country?”
Omar said the government should not take the “back door” route and should instead bring the Bill before Parliament.
“I don’t think they will be able to pass this in Parliament. That is why they are taking this path,” he said.
On allegations that the BJP was using the GCC for communal practices, Omar said a measure of this nature could not be considered universal if it was implemented only in BJP-ruled states.
“The whole country is not a BJP-ruled state. There are a number of states and territories that the BJP does not rule. Therefore, if you apply it only to BJP states, it’s not universal,” he said.
He added that such an issue should not be decided by individual states and must be addressed at the national level through Parliament.
On reports of reduced LAC and Chinese deployments, Omar termed it a significant development and expressed hope that the situation along the Line of Control would also improve over time.
On foreign policy, the Chief Minister said India should not seek certificates from other countries.
“Our foreign policy is our own. Why do we look for other countries’ certificates?” he asked.
Omar said India should neither attach excessive importance to praise nor criticism from other countries regarding its foreign policy, maintaining that the country should remain focused on its own policy and interests.
“That in itself is a success of our foreign policy,” he added. (JKNS)
