SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a crucial meeting on Sunday with leaders of allied parties, just a day before the regionโs first budget session in seven years. The discussion aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of the legislative assembly.
The meeting, held at Abdullahโs official residence, was attended by Congress legislative party leader G A Mir and CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami. Earlier in the day, Abdullah had also led a separate meeting with his party, the National Conference (NC). Meanwhile, the Congress legislative group convened separately at its Residency Road headquarters before Mir joined the coalition gathering.
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Pre-Session Strategy Talks
Speaking to reporters post-meeting, Mir stated that it is customary for both ruling and opposition parties to conduct internal discussions before the assembly session begins. โThese meetings allow us to outline key concerns that need to be raised in the house,โ he said.
Mir also responded to criticism of the governmentโs performance, pointing out that the administration, led by NC, had been in place for just four-and-a-half months. โMany are questioning why the government hasnโt taken certain actions. They must remember that when we took charge on October 16, the budget was already pre-determined, which posed a significant challenge,โ he explained.
Expectations from the Budget
Expressing optimism, Mir hoped that the upcoming budget would focus on addressing public concerns and laying the groundwork for fulfilling the governmentโs electoral promises in the 2025-26 fiscal year. He also reiterated that the previous session in Srinagar had already passed a resolution seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirโs statehood.
Blaming the BJP-led central government for delays, Mir recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs statement during the June 2021 All-Party Meeting with J&K leaders. โBack then, the Prime Minister had assured that after reorganization, there would be delimitation, elections, and then statehood. The elected government in J&K is in place, but the delay lies with the Centre,โ he said.
Congress Firm on Statehood Demand
Mir reaffirmed that the Congress and the INDIA bloc remain committed to statehood restoration. โThis was the most pressing issue in last yearโs assembly elections, and our alliance has made it clearโwhether in working committee meetings or campaign speechesโthat statehood must be restored,โ he stated.
On PDPโs Proposed Bills
When asked about the Peopleโs Democratic Party (PDP) planning to introduce bills for banning alcohol and regularizing property rights on public land, Mir remarked that it was up to the assembly to decide. However, he questioned why the PDP had not pursued such legislation when it was in power alongside the BJP.
โThis government is primarily focused on implementing the agenda for which it received the peopleโs mandate,โ he asserted.
