The Hindu : Omar hints at quitting NDA

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Sunday, Sep 29, 2002

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Omar hints at quitting NDA

By Shujaat Bukhari

The National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, at an election rally at Qazigund in Anantnag on Friday. Also seen is a boy upholding the party flag. — PTI

SRINAGAR SEPT. 28. The National Conference would lose its regional character when it allied with any combination at the Centre. "We as a State do not gain from being part of the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre except that I am a Minister," said the party president, Omar Abdullah, hinting at quitting the alliance.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Abdullah said, "I do not believe that being part of the NDA is different from being part of any other Government at the Centre. We did not get counter-guarantees for power projects, we did not get enough funds. . ."

Mr. Abdullah said greater participation in the Assembly elections showed the confidence of the people in democracy. "It is a clear message against Pakistan and militancy. It is a referendum against the gun. It is a referendum for electing a government of choice within the ambit of the Indian Constitution."

Of the low turnout in urban areas, Mr. Abdullah said such urban disinterest in elections was not unique to Jammu and Kashmir. But the urban areas of the State, particularly Srinagar, had received greater attention in development works. Disagreeing with the view that an anti-National Conference wave had swept the Kashmir Valley, Mr. Abdullah said, "I do not think the National Conference had not reached out to the people. Look at Khanyar or Ganderbal where much development works have been undertaken. Still people did not come out to vote. It is too early to talk about the anti-incumbency factor. We can discuss it only after October 10 (when the counting ends).''

Mr. Abdullah said several forces had worked against the National Conference. He was confident that the party would get a thumping majority. Its prospects were far better than what was being projected. "Even if we get a little less than half the mark we will not stake claim to form a government.''

He said a coalition government would be a disaster in the State. First Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (of the PDP) and Ghulam Nabi Azad (of the Congress) would fight over the chiefministership and then the fight over Ministries would follow. Mr. Abdullah, who is likely to quit as Union Minister of State for External Affairs soon after the election results are out, says, "Only a single party majority can offer a stable government".

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