Respect people’s mandate, restore statehood: CM’s Advisor to Centre

Srinagar, Nov 1: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Saturday said the central government must respect the mandate given by the people of the region to the National Conference (NC) by restoring statehood as promised to them. He accused the successive regimes of ignoring Srinagar for being the “bastion” of the NC.
Addressing a gathering in Srinagar, Wani said, “Earlier, there was an opposition, but now we have a non-elected opposition that claims the government has enough powers to deliver. We have been given these powers by the Constitution. The people of J&K have given a massive mandate to the Omar Abdullah–led government this time than ever before to any party. There is a need to respect this mandate. The people voted as they were promised statehood, and they should be granted it.”
He said several projects have remained stalled for years since the NC government went out of power over a decade ago.
“All successive regimes after the NC government didn’t look into the issues of Srinagar city, as they knew that Srinagar is the bastion of the NC and will remain so,” he said, adding that all the issues are under the active consideration of the leadership.
Wani said Omar Abdullah, after taking over as Chief Minister again last year, reviewed the ongoing and stalled works in Srinagar.
Referring to the Qamarwari Bridge, he said the project was inaugurated after 14 years. “Similarly, Boulevard Road has been witnessing congestion, which has left the local populace irked. “However, the government is making efforts to decongest the road,” he said.
The CM’s Advisor further said, “Mere Smart City thinking won’t do.” He added that the Omar Abdullah–led government, along with the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, will ensure developmental projects in Srinagar.
Apparently reacting to the statement of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Wani said, “Everybody is out to give sermons to us, but they don’t even bother to think about what they have done. Our political opponents fought elections against the BJP and later joined hands with them, which resulted in the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, and the snatching of statehood.”
He said the NC has fought elections against “divisive” political parties. “We will always remain away from them and won’t join hands with them. We will continue to work for the people,” he said.
The CM’s Advisor said that development and employment initiatives will continue and the government will fulfil all promises over the next four years. “The people need to be patient. Our major fight is to get statehood back. The people should stand shoulder to shoulder with this government in this fight,” he added. (KNO)