INDIA Bloc Not Linked to Congress ‘Vote Theft’ Campaign, Says Omar Abdullah
J&K Chief Minister distances National Conference from Congress protest, stresses no interference in national projects
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (JKNC) leader Omar Abdullah has clarified that the INDIA opposition bloc has no connection with the Congress party’s ongoing campaign alleging “vote theft” and electoral manipulation.
Speaking on Monday, Abdullah said every political party is free to choose its own issues and methods of protest. He added that the Congress has decided to focus on concerns such as “vote chori” and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, but that does not reflect the stand of the entire INDIA alliance.
“The INDIA bloc has nothing to do with it. Each party has the right to set its own agenda. The Congress has chosen these issues, and that is their decision,” he said.
His remarks came a day after the Congress held its ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’ rally in Delhi, where senior party leaders accused the BJP-led government of undermining democracy through alleged electoral irregularities.
Omar Abdullah also addressed the controversy surrounding the 850-MW Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar district. He stressed that projects of national importance should not face political interference and warned that any obstruction must be dealt with firmly by law enforcement agencies.
“There should be no political interference in such projects, and if there is any, it should be taken very seriously,” he said.
His statement followed allegations by a senior official of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the company executing the project. The official claimed that certain politicians and their supporters were pressuring project staff with illegal demands, including contracts and jobs, despite no vacancies being available.
Criticising the authorities for their inaction, Abdullah said that if such allegations had been made against one of his ministers, anti-corruption agencies would have acted immediately. He also alleged that more than one opposition MLA was interfering in development projects in the Kishtwar area.
The chief minister further pointed out that several key departments are yet to be transferred to the elected government. Referring to his own role, he said that despite being the power minister, the Power Development Corporation is still not under the elected administration.
On other issues, Abdullah said the upcoming chargesheet by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case is a matter for the courts to decide.
Speaking about tourism, he said Jammu and Kashmir’s winter tourism largely depends on good snowfall in destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. While the government is making efforts to revive tourism, natural conditions play a major role.
Addressing concerns over high airfares, Abdullah said the problem exists across India and that attempts to cap fares have not been successful so far.
He also condemned the recent deadly attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach, expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives and praising the bravery of a man who disarmed the attacker and saved many people.
