On his maiden visit to Jammu after occupying the 'hot seat', Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday reacted strongly to the allegations that the National Conference is a party of 'Muslims' and a Kashmir-based dynastic party that cannot tolerate leaders from Jammu.

Addressing a gathering of party leaders and workers who accorded a warm reception to him here at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Omar said the National Conference was under no compulsion to appoint a deputy chief minister like the previous coalition governments headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Ghulam Nabi Azad and himself to give representation to both the regions.  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.

“The Congress has so far not taken any decision to join the new cabinet. We took a decision and appointed a deputy chief minister (Surinder Choudhary) from our party.

“It was an answer to those who during election campaigning used to say that NC is a party of Muslims and a Kashmir-based dynastic party that cannot tolerate leaders from Jammu. Now we have a deputy CM who is a Hindu and has nothing to do with my family,” the chief minister said.

In a veiled reference to the BJP, Omar said the delimitation and reservation were done in a way to benefit one party but “all tactics including use of government machinery can never help you win elections”. 

 On the occasion, Omar Abdullah assured the people that they would be heard by his government and “your voices won’t be lost in the darkness anymore”. He asked the party workers not to “misuse the government” for their benefit.

The chief minister also asked the party workers not to lose their hearts and said JK is presently a UT which cannot be such for long.

“We will get back our rights. We will fight for all that which was taken away from us and there is no need to get annoyed or disappointed,” he said.

In a lighter vein Omar shared his personal experience of losing the Lok Sabha elections, admitting that at the time, he felt it was difficult to rise again. “But nature has its ways. Many officers and friends must have thought, ‘Khatam, Maklou, it’s over for Omar.’ But today, the same people greet me in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Many ask if I’ve had lunch. Many now text me, ‘Good night, have a nice sleep.’ This is the Almighty’s way of doing things,” Omar said. “But we should not be arrogant about winning the elections. Just as the people have given us this opportunity, they can punish us tomorrow.”

Omar also reached out to the media fraternity, assuring them that no iron-fist policy will be applied to the media in Jammu and Kashmir. “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.