Srinagar: Ruling out Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Assembly polls,
Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on July 15 said there was no need for another Bill on
greater autonomy to the state as the Centre has appointed a representative to
discuss the issue with the state government.
"We need not bring any Bill as the Centre has agreed to discuss autonomy issue. They
have appointed a gentleman for the purpose," Abdullah told reporters after casting
his vote in the Presidential election in the state Assembly.
Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM) state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami had
moved a resolution for discussion in the Assembly session beginning on July 16,
which would have asked the Centre to reconsider the autonomy resolution passed in
July 2000.
However, Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil disallowed the resolution.
Abdullah dismissed the possibility of promulgation of Governor's Rule in the state
ahead of the polls scheduled in October.
"If they (Centre) want to impose President or Governor's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir,
let them impose it in Gujarat first.
"Nobody can threaten us to contest elections only if Governor's rule is imposed.
These people have no base here. We have not come to power through backdoor but on
the mandate of the people," Abdullah said adding the 1996 elections were held under
Governor's rule with neutral poll staff from outside the state."
Abdullah, who returned from abroad on July 14, sought to reassure the public and the
political parties of the state that the ensuing elections would be free and fair.
"Elections will be free and fair and whosoever joins is welcome," he said.
Asked whether he was headed for Union Cabinet, Abdullah said, "That is not on my
mind."
Asked about the likelihood of his son and Minister of State for External Affairs,
Omar Abdullah, taking over as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, he
said "Inshallah (God willing) very soon," but did not give any specific
date.
Abdullah said he did not regret joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at
the Centre.
Downplaying July 14 angry outburst of residents of Qasim Nagar, where 28 people were
killed by militants on July 13, against the state government and Deputy Prime
Minister L K Advani, Abdullah said the demonstrations were pre-planned and alleged
that they were sponsored by Congress.
Squarely blaming Pakistan for the massacre, he said the incident indicated that
either Islamabad had lost control over militants or it was playing a double
game.
Commenting on the ongoing indefinite strike of private transporters in Kashmir
Valley, the Chief Minister said, "I have considered their demands sympathetically
but they cannot hold the public at ransom".
The state government has waived off 50 per cent of passenger tax and given them the
option of paying the balance in easy instalments, but the transporters are not ready
even to pay that much, the Chief Minister said adding, "Doors for negotiations are
still open."
PTI
