JAMMU, Jan 9: In two significant statements, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today said they don’t want to fight New Delhi but work together with them to resolve problems of jammu and Kashmir while Chief Minister and party vice president Omar Abdullah expressed dismay over lack of clarity regarding leadership and agenda of INDIA bloc saying the Alliance should be wound up if it was meant only for the Parliamentary elections.
Both the statements by father-son duo were made separately while talking to reporters on sidelines of two functions.
“We don’t want to fight New Delhi. We want to work together with Delhi to resolve Jammu and Kashmir’s problems. We don’t want to engage in battles. Those who want to fight can do so,” Farooq told the reporters.
He said this in response to a question by the reporters on Omar being dubbed a “New Delhi man”, fissures in the INDIA bloc with AAP and Congress fighting Delhi elections separately, dual power structure in J&K etc.
Farooq said the Central and J&K Governments should prioritise needs of the people rather than engaging in conflicts that hinder progress. He added that Omar is an elected Chief Minister and doesn’t act on anyone’s instructions. Those who are under this misunderstanding should come out of it.
He was responding to NC MP Aga Ruhulla’s comments that Omar shouldn’t distance from J&K people’s aspirations.
Farooq said the NC has got nothing to do with the BJP, but it is the responsibility of the Central Government to support the State Governments in addressing local issues. “We are not with the BJP, nor do we have any connection with them,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an orientation programme for MLAs here, Omar, while responding to a question on AAP and Congress contesting Delhi elections separately and many INDIA bloc partners supporting AAP and RJD leader’s statement that the Alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections only, said: “No time limit was set for the Alliance. But the issue is that no meeting of India bloc is being convened. And whether this Alliance will continue is also unclear”.
He said after Delhi Assembly elections, the INDIA bloc should call meeting of the Alliance members and if this Alliance was only for the Lok Sabha polls, it should be wound up and we will work separately. However, if it is meant for Assembly elections as well, we will have to sit together and work collectively, he added.
Farooq said the INDIA bloc alliance is not just about contesting elections, but it is about strengthening India and eliminating hatred.
“The alliance is permanent — it is for every day and every moment.”
Voicing concern over unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC chief called it a significant issue in the region. “How will people’s problem be solved when unemployment is so severe here? Our hospitals and schools are in dire condition. We need teachers, doctors, and paramedics, but instead, unnecessary battles are being fought,” he said.
To a question about the dual governance structure, Farooq reiterated the demand for Statehood, stating that the dual power structure in Jammu and Kashmir would stabilise once full statehood is restored.
On orientation programme for the MLAs, Omar said many of them have been members of this House before, but that was when Jammu and Kashmir was a State. “The system is different today. We need to understand how we are going to work and what the powers of this Assembly are”.
“The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha also participated in this exercise. I believe the experience of the senior members will prove beneficial. In the upcoming sessions, the MLAs will represent the people better and raise their issues effectively,” he added.
Omar expressed hope that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not permanent and the BJP-led Central Government would stand by its promise to restore Statehood.
He said there is a need to understand the differences between rules and limitations of a Union Territory Assembly vis-a-vis a State Assembly. He urged new legislators to adapt to their roles in the Union Territory Assembly till Statehood is restored.
“The Central Government has promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that Statehood will be restored, and we hope they will stand by their word,” Abdullah said during orientation programme for the legislators.
He stressed the importance of legislators adapting to the unique challenges of working in a Union Territory Assembly. He praised Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for organising the orientation programme, emphasizing its value for both new and experienced legislators.
“I have been elected six times in various capacities — three times to Parliament and three times to the Assembly. But this is the first time I am attending such an orientation programme,” Omar said.
Reflecting on his own experience, the Chief Minister admitted his early years as a Parliamentarian lacked a strong foundation.
“If such an orientation programme had been organized when I was first elected to Parliament, I would have been better prepared. Even today, I cannot confidently explain how to introduce a private member’s bill or raise an issue under Rule 377 despite having spent many years there,” he said.
On operating in a Union Territory Assembly, Omar said, “Even respected senior members, like Abdul Rahim Rather (Speaker), who has been elected seven times, are facing this for the first time. Earlier, this was a State Assembly. Now, for the first time, we have been elected to the Union Territory Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He emphasized the importance of understanding the new framework.
“The functioning of a Union Territory is different, its rules are different, and understanding them and using them effectively will take some time to learn,” Omar said, urging legislators to use the orientation programme to bridge this knowledge gap.
The Chief Minister also expressed hope for maintaining decorum in the Assembly but acknowledged the inevitability of disruptions.
“While I can say we should avoid disruptions and maintain decorum, the reality is that such disruptions will happen. The calmness we are witnessing today is probably the first and last time we experience this,” he remarked.
Omar drew inspiration from veteran Parliamentarians from the past years such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recalling their exemplary conduct in Parliamentary proceedings. “They are remembered even today because they never disrupted the House or insulted the Chair,” he said.
Omar urged the legislators to adapt to their roles in the Union Territory Assembly, commit to serving people and raising their issues, even within the limitations of the new framework.
“Until Statehood is restored, we will continue to serve the people and address their concerns in this Assembly,” he said.
