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| Omar seeks Chidambaram's intervention on AFSPA repeal | | |
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to impress upon Defence Minister for allowing some leverage on Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Omar had privately conveyed to Chidambaram that even public perception of softening of Army's stand on this contentious issue could be of immense help to him.
"Omar had detailed discussion with Chidambaram. He told Union Finance Minister that even the steps initiated by him as a Union Home Minister haven't been taken forward. He asked him to discuss the issue of partial lifting of AFSPA with Defence Minister," said a senior Cabinet Minister, wishing not to be named.
Chidambaram had arrived in Srinagar two-days back in connection with the platinum jubilee celebration of J&K Bank.
Chidambaram had also stated in his address that some of the moves made by him on the Kashmir have not been carried forward.
Former Home Minister had developed relation with the Chief Minister and was in favour of even partial lifting of AFSPA but couldn't succeed due to stern resistance shown by the Defence Minister.
Chidambaram had even appointed a team of interlocutors which had submitted a report.
The appointment of another team on Kashmir was seen as political naive move by senior leaders and bureaucrats.
Chidambaram had also defended Omar Abdullah during 2010 turbulent summer when there was move to sack the Chief Minister.
Omar is now again relying on the weight of Chidambaram as he himself has not been able to get his way.
However, Defence Minister AK Antony is a close confidiant of Gandhi family and his saying is final with regard to Defence affairs. Antony also doesn't enjoy cordial relation with the Chidambaram.
Another reason for seemed futile attempt of Omar is that Chidambaram is seen as political naive in political circles as his statement of Telengana had caused much damage to the Congress.
"Omar is making last desperate attempt to atleast set an impression that he has made some movement in making Army accept his diktat. It's for this reason he is banking on Chidambaram but will probably not able to succeed as it has happened in the past," said a senior official. |
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