'Form the Govt or Go for Elections': Omar Abdullah to Mehbooba Mufti

SRINAGAR: Renewing the pitch for fresh elections, former chief minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday took a dig at the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her party of "doublespeak" on the issue of government formation.

“If you (Mehbooba) don’t want to form the government, then dissolve the assembly so that fresh elections are held. Let people decide again. But they (PDP) are afraid of going to voters. They know if fresh elections are held, NC will win a full majority,” Omar said.

Expressing surprise over the lack of complaints among people after the state was brought under the Governor's rule on January 8, Omar said it reflects the coalition government's failure in the last ten months.

"This is the achievement of their ten month rule that people are loving the Governor's rule more than the PDP-BJP government. I am amazed that the state is being ruled by the Governor and the people are not complaining,” Omar said, while addressing a rally in his Beerwah constituency.

Following the death of the chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 at AIIMS, the PDP-BJP coalition has come under increasing strain, especially in the light of the Hindu right-wing party's "backtracking" on key issues in 'Agenda of the Alliance' including the return of power projects and protecting the special status of the state.

While both the parties have dropped enough hints at continuing the alliance and the BJP has backed Mehbooba's candidature for the chief minister's post, the PDP is looking for assurances that the political and developmental components listed in the alliance agenda will be fulfilled.

Earlier, Omar's father and former union minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had urged the two parties to end the political stalemate in Jammu and Kashmir by either forming the government or dissolving the assembly.

“First they (PDP) say the alliance (with BJP) will continue. Then they say that 'Agenda of the Alliance' will be reviewed. And then they say that the agenda is sacred. If that is the case, Mehboobaji, form the government. NC will not create any hurdles for you,” Omar said.

The former chief minister, who is also the working president of National Conference said Mehbooba believes people should “plead her” to form the government. "She thinks that she would keep the people waiting for the government and the people would plead her to form government," he said.

“I ran the government on 28 MLAs for six years, and did whatever I could do for the development of the state. Today, the PDP has 28 MLAs and see what the situation is. Governor rule has been imposed twice in a year. PDP speaks in two voices,” Omar said.