Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed party workers in Jammu on Saturday, urging them not to lose hope as he promised efforts to restore what was taken from the people of Jammu Kashmir.
“We are a Union Territory, but don’t be annoyed. We will get back what has been snatched from us,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to regaining lost rights.
Omar also responded to allegations that the National Conference (NC) had abandoned its demand for special status. “There are those who criticize us for moving away from our core demand, but I assure you, we have not wavered,” he stated.
He highlighted the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary from Jammu, addressing accusations that the NC is a dynastic party.
“This is a response to those who used to accuse us of being a party of dynasts. What will they say today? Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has no relation with me or my family,” Omar said.
“My only aim was to send a message to the people of Jammu that they have an equal share in the government, just like Kashmir.”
Reflecting on past criticisms, Omar remarked, “From day one, I maintained that I will include the people of Jammu so they don’t feel excluded from the government.”
Omar also criticized the delimitation process and reservation policies, claiming they were manipulated to favor one political party.
“The delimitation was done to benefit one particular party, and reservation was another tactic aimed at ensuring victory for that party. But the results are in front of you—these moves failed,” he declared.
He emphasized that winning the elections was an important milestone but said the real work begins now. “We have to minimize the people’s miseries and reduce the gap between the people and the government. We must serve the people and resolve their issues,” he asserted.
Speaking about his party’s resilience, Omar reflected on the past eight years: “Numerous attempts were made to remove NC from the political scene, but our workers and leaders stood firm. NC is not just a party of leaders but of a committed cadre, as proven in the recent elections.”
Addressing the media, Omar promised a change in approach. “I will not punish you for writing against me. I will ensure that the media remains free and works in a free and fearless environment,” he said.
He acknowledged that many journalists had faced difficulties obtaining accreditation or press cards and assured that he would resolve these issues. “Journalists must highlight the government’s mistakes but also report on the good work done by the NC government,” he concluded.