Early Times Report
jammu, Mar 16: National Conference vice- president Omar Abdullah by extending support to the party that endorsed the Centre's move to scrap Article 370 has finally given a subtle hint that he is "OK" with the abrogation of JK's special status.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. "In spite of AAP's support for the dismemberment & downgrading of J&K in 2019, we still condemn this assault on the powers of the elected government of Delhi. Delhi deserves to be a full state with all powers exercised by the elected government & not a nominated LG," Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Soon after Omar tweeted, speculations were all around that the NC MPs including Omar's father and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah would support the party in the Parliament that backed the BJP when it abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is going to be an interesting situation to watch out for. I mean the NC is going to support Aam Admi Party. It is the same party that voted in favour of Article 370 abrogation in Jammu and Kashmir," wrote a netzien on social media while reacting to Omar's statement.
Within the NC itself, there are voices being heard about such a unilateral decision taken by Omar without even thinking about its repercussions. "Supporting AAP that too in open is something we were not hoping for. Omar should have at least discussed it with his colleagues before making his stand public. AAP is the name party that voted against Article 370 and supported its abrogation in the parliament. I wonder what we will tell to the people," says a party functionary.
There is already growing resentment within the NC cadres over an ambivalent stand taken by Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abduallah vis-a-vis restoration of special status. The Gupkar declaration too seems to have been dumped by the party in entirety.
Pertinently, prior to the release of Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah, the mainstream politicians released from custody had reportedly signed a bond that they will not instigate people against Article 370 abrogation.
However, the government while setting Dr Farooq Abdullah free from custody on March 13 simply revoked his PSA detention order. The authorities didn't divulge whether the bond has been signed by the NC patriarch or not. Ten days later, when Dr Farooq's son has been released after serving detention of more than seven months, there hasn't been any news of about the bond signing either.
However, netizens seem curious over the issue and speculations on social media are rife that the Abdullahs may have signed the bonds to secure their release from incarceration.
Also, when Omar walked free from Hari Niwas, he was surrounded from all sides by the journalists who were eager to know his views on Article 370 abrogation. Omar toed his father's line and preferred not to speak on this issue. He cited the ongoing COVID-19 threat as the major reason for maintaining silence. However, his father, when he was set free chose a different reason to stay away from the issue of Article 370. He maintained that he will not speak till the politicians detained by the government aren't freed.
On January 10, this year, Omar in an interview to a New Delhi based news portal revealed that he has been feeling deeply jaded and de-motivated and is even contemplating whether to remain in politics to bid adieu to it. "I find it very difficult to motivate myself, I have lost motivation. A certain light inside may not have been switched off but it's a lot dimmer. I have never been like this." Omar Abdullah has also accepted that he is struggling with the question whether he should continue in politics. He said he has no easy answers and has lots of doubts," said Omar in the interview. |
