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| `Resignation’ highest point of Omar’s year in office | | |
SANT KUMAR SHARMA
Jammu, Jan 4: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has completed one year in office. What distinguishes his tenure from that of the worthies who adorned the hot seat earlier? Is it time to ask whether he has done better than Ghulam Nabi Azad, his immediate predecessor?
The single most important event that is fresh in people’s minds regarding Omar’s one year in office is, unfortunately, his conditional ``resignation’’ in July 2009. Of course, he managed to take the high moral ground when allegations were hurled against him. But the manner in which he conducted himself at that juncture allowed his detractors, within and outside, to accuse him of being mercurial, impulsive and impatient.
Has he done better than Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who ruled the state between November 2, 2002, and November 1, 2005?
Has Omar done better than his charismatic father, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who ruled the state from October 1996 to October 2002? And more than a couple of times before that.
Let us ask the question, differently, this time. Has Omar done better than what Mr Azad, his predecessor, could do in the first year in office, between November 2, 2005, and November 2, 2006?
If he or his supporters were to claim this honour, the coalition partner, the Congress, may take umbrage. As such, everybody around Omar is keeping quiet on this one. The Congress legislators, some ministers included, say brazenly that it is Mr Azad’s unstinted support that is the reason behind Omar’s smooth sailing so far. Any claims pertaining to Omar doing better than the veteran Congress leader would only invite trouble, they caution.
Has Omar done better than what Mufti did between November 2, 2002, and November 2, 2003?
Being perpetual rivals in the state politics, the Muftis and the Abdullahs don’t let go of an opportunity to run down one another. Omar’s supporters have been claiming that he definitely has done better than Mufti did in the first year in office as CM.
Mufti’s supporters and members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dispute that. They point out that during the first 12 months as CM, Mufti had managed to create a unique style of governance and his ``healing touch’’ was being talked about, by everyone. Also, that Mufti was ``setting the agenda’’ for the state as also for the Central government during this period.
The PDP supporters argue that Omar has failed to create his own stamp in the first year, his own signature style so far. In the coalition led by Mufti, the PDP had 16 MLAs, the Congress 20 and several Independents. And Mufti as CM appeared to be in total control of the situation around him, his ministers et al.
In contrast, Omar leads 28 MLAs of the National Conference (NC) and 17 of the Congress, besides Ghulam Hassan Mir, if you insist on including Independents. Yet, Omar is considered a ``weaker CM’’ than Mufti. Or even weaker than Mr Azad. Or for that matter, than his father, who ruled earlier.
The goodwill which he received while taking the office is not perennial as the people will soon start judging him by his government’s performance. And his capacity to deliver on his promises.
There is a heavy burden of expectations Omar carries and let us hope that his shoulders will not sag. The way things are poised now, it appears now that the most serious challenge to Omar comes from within, the hangers-on who tell him that he is infallible and insist on massaging his ego.
A senior bureaucrat said pertinently: ``Omar appears to be well-meaning but that is not enough. Beyond good intentions, he has to deliver good results and then only will he be able to stand tall with Mufti, Azad and Farooq.’’
Congratulations on completing one year in office, Mr Chief Minister. But please remember: There is no heavier burden than a great potential!
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