Mufti questions intention of Govt to hold ULBs polls

 Lambasting Omar Abdullah led coalition regime for eroding sanctity of democratic institutions in State, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Mufti today questioned intention of the State Government to hold Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections. He regretted that instead of taking some steps to strengthen democracy at grass root level, the State Government was looking for excuses to delay the ULB elections.

Addressing a meeting of party workers of Bishnah Assembly segment at Pandorian, PDP patron said elections of Urban Local Bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but Government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse.

"I failed to understand why Government is shying away from its duty to conduct these elections. Formation of Urban Local Bodies are must to empower the people of urban areas", he remarked and added that in a democratic system it was necessary to make representative character of all democratic institutions to ensure people's participation in these institutions.

Taking a dig at coalition regime for not fulfilling its promises to conducting local bodies elections, Mufti Sayeed pointed out that during the last two years Government has repeatedly announced to conduct these elections but these announcements remained only on papers.

"Even in the Governor Address during the current budget session of the Assembly, the Government has promised to conduct local bodies elections", he recalled but added that no notification has been issued so far which substantiate PDP's apprehensions that this regime was not interested in conducting local bodies elections.

PDP patron also flayed coalition regime for not empowering the Panchayats. "Those demanding greater autonomy for the State are hesitating even to delegate powers to the duly elected Panchayats", he said and pointed out that almost one year has passed after completion of Panchayat elections but neither block Smities nar Zila Committees have been constituted.

PDP patron warned that his party would strongly oppose gimmick of the ruling NC to undermine institutions and to control these institutions through deceit tactics. "We will agitate for strengthening democratic institutions in the state", he asserted.

Speaking on the occasion, former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig said that eroding democratic institutions and controlling such institutions through illegal means was history of the NC. "Since 1947, successive NC regime has been propagating divisive politics to remain in power", he said and added that wrong policies adopted by the NC were responsible for all ills in the State.

He regretted that for petty political gains, NC leadership has always tried to create division between people of different regions. "It was only after 2002 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister of the State some sincere efforts were made to bridge the gap", he said.

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Privilege motion against Mehbooba

Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Mohammed Akbar Lone today directed the Assembly Secretariat to issue notice against some members of the PDP including its legislature party leader Mehbooba Mufti for misleading the House on JKCA issue on March 12, 2012 during zero Hour and sought their comments on the issue.

The privilege motion moved by Mir Saifullah, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, T. Namgyal, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and Chowdhary Mohammed Ramzan against PDP members including Mehbooba Mufti, Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Abdul Haq Khan, Syed Bashir Ahmed, Mansoor Hussain and Javaid Mustafa Mir.

The Speaker, while quoting the contents of the motion, said, “Please take notice that we intend to move a motion of privilege under Rule 238 and 239 of the Rules of procedure and conduct of business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly against the Members mentioned in the Annexure for having committed contempt of this august House and breach of its privilege by presenting documents in the House on 12-03-2012 during the zero hour of its proceedings regarding Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association as well as its President and leveling baseless and unfounded allegations with the intention to mislead the august House and deceive its Members. Consequently, the proceedings of this august House also got obstructed. Orders of the Speaker may please be obtained in this behalf.”

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Omar Abdullah enjoying PDPs frustration

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sought to make light of remarks of his bete-noire People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti that he was running administration like a “headless chicken”, stating this demonstrated their (PDP’s) frustration and he was thoroughly enjoying it.Omar was talking to media after addressing a rally of Panchs and Sarpanchs organised by Rural Development and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs departments at Parade Ground here today.

Though initially the Chief Minister restrained himself from reacting on this statement yet he could not resist the temptation to hit back and scoff at PDP leadership for long.So when he was first asked to respond to the statement, his reaction was, “Have you ever known me to respond to statements like this? I’ve never done it nor do I plan it.”However, when similar question was redirected to him at the end of interaction as whether PDP wanted to irritate or prick him with these kind of statements, he could not exercise similar restraint and mocked, “Neither I get irritated nor I get pricked by their these kind of statements. When they (PDP) use this kind of language for me, I feel very satisfied. Reason I feel as if I’ve done something really great job.”

“Lekin Jab Woh Khamosh Ho Jaatey Hain To Main Ghabra Jaata Hoon Kyunki Khamoshi Mein Mujhe Lagata Hai Woh Khush Hain. Jab Woh Bolana Shuru Kar Detay Hain To Main Khush Ho Jaata Hoon Kyunki Jab Woh Zyada Bolatay Hain To Is Say Lagata Hai Woh Ghabra Gaye Hai, Baukhla Gaye Hain Aur Main Aur Zyada Unko Ghabraaney Aur Baukhlaaney Ki Koshish Karta Hoon (In fact their silence troubles me as this gives me an indication that they are happy. However, when they launch a verbal offensive then I feel happy. Because this indicates their nervousness and frustration which I thoroughly enjoy by redoubling my efforts to increase their anxiety, irritation with our performance graph),” Omar said.

Interestingly even during rally, he did not leave an opportunity to take a dig at PDP leadership which had been lashing out at National Conference in general and Omar in particular over power crisis in J&K.

Criticising (PDP) for “shutting eyes to the revolutionary initiatives and considerable achievements” registered by the coalition during last three years, the Chief Minister said that those who were raising hue and cry over non-availability of power could not even help generate a single MW during their tenure. “They put Baglihar in cold-storage and closed Sawalakote, which was an initiative of Farooq-led government. They did not spend a single penny on power generation. Those who have covered their eyes with black glasses only see dark,” he added.        

Even Minister for Rural Development, Law and Justice, Ali Mohammed Sagar, joining the war of words with PDP on this occasion, said that those (PDP leadership) who had launched propaganda against the coalition government was in fact “very much frustrated by witnessing the success of Omar-led dispensation in all fields of life.”

“These people are jealous of the significant work culture put in place by the coalition and historic achievements registered to ameliorate the lot of masses,” he added and said that during their (PDP) tenure they could not even transfer one service to panchayats and urban local bodies and made these non-entity units.

“There should be some limit for making false propaganda, but opposition is devoid of all such traits and is upset to see the leadership qualities of Omar Abdullah who steered the boat clear of difficult water currents to the shore of peace, stability and progress,” he said.

SALMAN RUSHDIE’S VISIT NON ISSUE: Omar also played down the raging controversy in the country over Muslim organisations’ demand of denying visa to controversial India-born writer Salman Rushdie saying that he (Rushdie) was a non-issue. He said it did not bother Indian Muslims who were more concerned about their day-to-day livelihood issues.

“Is this the first time Salman Rushdie is coming to India? As far as I know has come before this also. Why suddenly is Salman Rushdie becoming an issue? Clearly there are those who are seeking to exploit this for political purposes given that there are elections in five states in the next month. I think we underestimate the intelligence of the Indian Muslims when we try and raise issues like this which have no bearing on the day to day concerns of the Muslims. I don’t believe there are very many Muslims in India for whom a visa to Salman Rushdie will be an election issue. They’re more concerned about their day to day concerns and their future concerns,” Omar said.

“Salman has visited India before. If it was the first time, he was applying for a visa, it might be different. I don’t think this is an issue that anybody (they) should really concern (themselves with). We’re more concerned with the day to day livelihood issues of Muslims in rest of the country,” he stated

READY FOR CAMPAIGN IN PUNJAB FOR CONGRESS:

Responding to a query, Omar stated that he had not received any request or invitation for campaigning in favour of Congress in Punjab or any other state so far. “As and when I get any such request or invitation from there, I’ll definitely go there,” he reiterated.