Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 8: Farooq and Omar have differed on various issues in the past. The trend continues. Omar has ruled out any alliance with the NDA if it returns to power t Centre. This is in contravention to Dr Farooq's known stand who believes, no Government in Jammu Kashmir can survive without the support of the party in power at New Delhi.
Farooq's apprehensions are not totally unfounded. In 1984 his Government was dismissed by former Governor, Jagmohan at the behest of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Farooq then was a new entrant into politics and had started flirtation with the opposition leaders across the country.
Farooq's apprehensions made him to join the NDA in 2000. Though Omar reaped the fruits but issued a hard hitting statement against BJP in 2010. Omar was a MoS in the NDA led Government.
Contrary to the history of NC, Omar has sought a pre-poll alliance with the Congress for the 2014 Assembly elections. This, according to sources close to the Sheikh Family, has not gone down well with Dr Farooq who is the patron of the party. According to him, the decision on any alliance should have been taken after the Parliamentary polls.
Right now National Conference is part of the UPA Government with the party patron, Dr Farooq holding a Ministerial berth. Political experts, however, opine that Omar may not be in a position to stick to his stand if NDA is voted to power. The State is dependent on Central assistance. Eighty percent of the employees' wage bill comes from Centre. |
