Omar Abdullah Threatens to Reassess Relationship with Centre if Promises Are Not Fulfilled

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has said that he would relook at the relationship with the Centre if it fails to deliver on its promises.

In an interview to the BBC, he however said that he has not given up the fight on restoration of Article 370.

To a question about being seen to be soft towards the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, Omar said, “At least in the opening few months of my government I owe it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to try and establish a good working relationship with the Government of India. If that fails to deliver on the promises that the Government of India has made to us, we would relook at it.”

The CM said that till the time Narendra Modi is Prime Minister, it was not possible to see that Article 370 was restored.

He however said that he has not given up on restoration of Article 370 fight and if that was the case, “We would not have passed a resolution in the Assembly asking for the special status of Jammu and Kashmir to be restored and constitutional guarantees be brought back as well.”

Omar also said that maintaining good relations with the Centre should not be seen as an alliance with the BJP. “Working in a congenial relationship is not something that should be mistaken for friendship or alliance,” he said.

On being asked about whether he was advising the Government of India to establish a working relationship with Pakistan, he said, “At the moment there is no scope and that is not there as the way security forces have been attacked in Jammu and Kashmir.”

On the developmental front, he said that he has got the mandate from the people of Jammu and Kashmir to serve them, while noting that the Jammu and Kashmir government was working on ensuring development in the Union Territory.

Omar said that the government is working on a new industrial policy and tourism policy while referring to his visit outside the UT for promotion of tourism.

About a disquiet within the party on key issues and the divergent position of NC MP, Aga Ruhullah, Omar however said that, “I believe a political party must give space for differences of opinion,” while stressing that in democracy people also have a choice to choose a better leader.