The Hindu : NC may withdraw from NDA Govt., says Omar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2003

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National

NC may withdraw from NDA Govt., says Omar

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU JAN. 21. The National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, today said his party might withdraw from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre, even as it continued to support it from outside.

With this, he virtually put on hold the much-talked about entry of his father and former Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, into the Vajpayee-led Government. "Personally, I feel we should not have any people in the NDA Government because the BJP is following its separate agenda and is talking about the abrogation of Article 370 and construction of a Ram temple etc," he said after addressing a meeting of the women's wing of the party here. To a question, he countered, "Why is Dr. Abdullah not in the country if he is to join the Ministry?"

Asked about the situation on the militancy front and statements from the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and the Army chief, N.C. Vij, in this regard, he said, "Delhi is not speaking in one voice."

Mr. Abdullah made a scathing attack on the coalition Government in the State, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and wanted to know "where their promises had gone". He pointed out that his father was accused of misusing State aircraft and helicopters.

"What is the Mufti doing now? He is always airborne. There is one chopper for the Mufti and another for his daughter, Mehbooba, and nobody is raising questions now."

On the Mufti's visit to Mumbai and other cities to woo industrialists and Bollywood stars, he said, "When my father used to do the same, he was criticised for making jaunts to Mumbai." He also questioned the constitution of the council of Ministers, saying, "A lot is said about the representation to women but there is not a single woman in the Ministry."

Mr. Abdullah presided over a meeting of NC legislators, which discussed the strategy to be adopted during the coming budget session. "We will play the role of a constructive opposition and will not be mute spectators. I will act as a bridge between the people and the party and will work in the direction of revitalising the party."

This was the first meeting of the NC legislature party after it tasted defeat in the Assembly elections in spite of emerging as the single largest party with 28 seats in the 87-member house. Today's meeting, sources said, was a brainstorming session that concentrated on identifying the lapses of the Mufti Government.

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