Srinagar: Former J&K CM and VP if National Conference Omar Abdullah has termed the BJP-PDP alliance to form a Government as a complete failure.
This alliance had only widened the gap between the Hindu-Muslim community as well as deepened the divide between Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking in an interview with Hindustan Times, Abdullah said the rift between the two regions of the state rose with this unlikely political alliance “They (PDP and BJP) said that they wanted to bring the two regions together, but the fact is that they have pushed people of Jammu and Kashmir regions further and further apart,” he added.
He explained that the governments three-year term was not just a complete but also these failures were visible on all fronts. “There was deterioration of the security situation in the state, increased polarisation in J&K, the divisions between Hindus and Muslims, and also the failure of governance,” he said.
When asked whether his party is ready to form an alliance the former CM replied his party is not negotiating with any other party to form a coalition government in the state because “we did not get the mandate in 2014, and we do not have the mandate even today”.
He also met the Governor to address his concerns where he said Governor’ rule should not continue for long and steps should be taken to alleviate the situation in J&K.
Admitting that he did expect BJP’s pullout from the political alliance but it is just too soon he said.
Speaking on the centre’s decision of unilateral ceasefire, Abdullah said: “If it was meant to reduce violence levels and militant attacks, then that didn’t happen either. Still, we must acknowledge that no cordon-and-search operations were carried out during this period, and that resulted in fewer public protests. However, that has resumed in the last couple of days.”
He says the ceasefire was a failure because the government took a hasty decision and no preparatory work was done before announcing or revoking the ceasefire.
The government’s sudden decision to revoke it after the tragic murder of Shujaat made it clear that the Government will no longer continue the to extend the ceasefire.
“After 2016, nothing was done to address the public sentiment and anger that led to the agitation. Today, it has only become more intense. An entirely new generation of protesters — in the age group of 12, 14 and 16 — are involved in protests. Many youngsters are also picking up guns,” he says.
Abdullah now blames the political alliance between BJP and PDP for the surge in violence. “After the assembly elections of 2014, the year 2015 was almost ok. The year 2016 was very bad, 2017 was also troubled and 2018 is not a great year,” he added.