Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice-president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that as long as the plough-bearing flag of the National Conference continues to fly across Jammu and Kashmir, no power on earth will dare attempt to divide the region on regional or religious lines.
He was addressing the concluding session of the two-day party block presidents’ convention in Jammu. The convention, which commenced yesterday, was chaired by the NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Addressing party functionaries, Omar Abdullah highlighted his government’s “pro-people, pro-Jammu” measures: increased ration quotas, free bus rides for women, enhanced pensions, free land for landslide victims and the restoration of the historic Darbar Move. He stressed that initiatives across tourism, roads, healthcare, education and recruitment are driving Jammu back onto the path of progress and development.
Taking a dig at BJP leaders, Omar Abdullah said those who stopped the Darbar Move or celebrated the closure of a medical college cannot claim to be Jammu’s well-wishers. He warned that such narrow, divisive politics has harmed Jammu before, and will continue to do so — something that the NC government will never allow.
He reiterated that as long as the NC flag flies, no force can divide Jammu and Kashmir. Targeting LOP Sunil Sharma, Omar Abdullah said the bifurcation talk is a personal power play. “If he wants to be chief minister — then why only for Jammu, and not for the entire J&K? If ambition drives him so much, let him contest Jammu municipal elections,” he said.
Omar Abdullah added that the BJP leaders’ dream of ruling would not extend beyond Kanak Mandi and Raghunath Bazar as the people of Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal will never support divisive agendas. He warned that such wishful and dangerous politics will only harm Jammu’s interests, which the NC remains steadfast in protecting.
He further asserted that the NC has always stood firm in protecting the secular character of the region. “Despite being a Muslim-majority region, the people of Jammu and Kashmir chose to align with a secular India and remain steadfast despite persistent propaganda from across the border,” he added.
Among those present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, Satish Sharma, MPs Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, AGS Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, MLAs Ajaz Jan, Sajjad Shaheen, Javid Iqbal Choudhary, Er. Kursheed Ahmad, Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir and Sardar Harbans Singh.
