J&K CM Omar Abdullah rules out alliance with BJP, praises Manmohan Singh for bringing India & Pakistan ‘close to solving Kashmir issue’

JAMMU: Amid his perceived closeness with central government despite his party, National Conference, being part of opposition INDIA bloc, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday clarified there are no plans for an alliance with BJP as they had different political visions.

“We both have different ideologies. Our thoughts also do not align... If we talk about J&K, our approach is vastly different,” Omar told reporters outside the assembly before the start of the budget session. The CM has repeatedly maintained that having cordial ties with the Centre should not be construed as political alignment with BJP.

He also asserted that there was no need to bring a fresh resolution condemning the abrogation of Article 370, as the J&K Assembly had already passed one in its first sitting last year, and the Centre had not rejected it.

Speaking in the assembly, Omar showered lavish praise on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying India and Pakistan were very close to resolving the Kashmir issue during his tenure. “I don’t think I will ever see it happening again in my lifetime,” he added.

He said Singh carried forward the legacy of his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee by keeping the dialogue process alive. “He could have stopped the process of dialogue, but continued shouldering it as a huge responsibility,” the CM said while speaking on obituary references in the House. Singh and former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf had made significant progress in talks, he said.

Referring to the deteriorating situation in J&K in 2010, Omar said Singh set up working groups to heal the wounds of the people. A similar exercise was needed at present, too, he added.

On Kashmiri Pandits, the CM said Manmohan Singh settled the community at the biggest Jagti Township colony in Jammu, and also reserved jobs for them. He also lauded Singh’s contributions to India’s economic growth and key welfare initiatives.

Earlier, LG Manoj Sinha, in his address to the assembly, reaffirmed the Omar govt’s commitment to continue its efforts towards restoration of statehood.

“One of the foremost aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is the restoration of full statehood. My govt remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire of the citizens,” he said.

Stating that the govt “recognises the emotional and political significance of statehood for the people”, he said it is actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process “in a manner that ensures peace, stability and progress”.

“This budget carries historic significance as it is the first in over seven years to be presented by an elected govt in J&K,” Sinha further said, adding: “This budget is not merely a financial document; it is a testament to the aspirations of the masses, reflecting their hopes for a brighter future.”

Unlike past years, when the budget address by the then governors of the erstwhile state of J&K were often disrupted by members, there was just a lone incident of walkout out by an Independent MLA, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmed, seeking justice for the families of two persons recently killed in Kathua and Sopore, and for restoration of statehood.

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