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| Double-Speak For power NC compromises its stand on AFSPA | | | Neha
JAMMU, May 24: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram was here in the State for a day on Wednesday. He visited the State to study the political situation. He had discussions with the Government officials as well as with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and others who matter in the State. He discussed everything with them. He discussed the arrangements made by the Shrine Board for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra which would officially start in the second half of June. He discussed the issue of Kashmiri Hindus return to the Valley. He discussed with the Chief Minister the issues relating to infrastructural development, as also the security-related issues. In fact, he discussed almost everything with the Chief Minister and others and assured them that the Union Government would meet the State's needs to the extent possible.
It was expected that NC president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would also discuss the issue of AFSPA revocation, partial or otherwise, with the visiting Home Minister. But all the reports which emanated from Kashmir yesterday clearly suggested that the Chief Minister did not rake up the issue of AFSPA revocation, notwithstanding the fact that he had made the issue the cornerstone of his speeches and statements in and outside the Assembly. So much so, he had taken cudgels even with the JKPCC president Saif-ud-Din Soz, who also happens to be the chairman of the NC-Congress coordination committee.
The JKPCC president had, it may be recalled, taken on the Chief Minister last October and even thereafter saying the latter had not taken him and the Congress party into confidence before making a policy statement that he would revoke AFSPA before the Durbar started functioning in Jammu in November 2011. The reaction of the Chief Minister to the JKPCC president's snubbing was very strong. The Chief Minister had said he did not feel the need to consult him, as he had already taken board the Union Home Minister. The difference of opinion between them had created an awkward situation both for the NC and the Congress high command all the more because the then NC additional general secretary and chief spokesperson Mustafa Kamaal had not only denounced the JKPCC chief but also condemned New Delhi and the Congress high command, including AICC general secretary and the Congress's Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi. Kamaal had said Rahul Gandhi had nothing to do with the administration in the State. Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah maintain very good relations.
That Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose not to rake up the issue of AFSPA revocation during his crucial meeting with the Union Home Minister indicates many things. It indicates that he and his party have compromised their stand on the issue just for the sake of power. It also indicates that the Chief Minister and his party were not really committed to what they had been saying about the AFSPA for months. By not taking up the issue of AFSPA revocation with the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister has not only given another opportunity to the PDP to beat him and his Government from right and left but also made his critics accuse him of indulging in double-speak. |
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