Srinagar, May 8 — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday alleged that the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted solely to benefit the BJP and its allies, while accusing the party of using statehood as a political tool.
“We have suffered because of their delimitation. And we know how the delimitation was done. It was carried out only to benefit the BJP and its allies. Now let us see what happens next,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar.
He said the developments reflected the BJP’s political intentions. “This is how the intentions of the BJP become clear,” he said.
Referring to recent political developments in other states, Omar said, “Eknath Shinde left because the BJP helped him do so,” while asserting that no such situation existed within the National Conference.
“There is no Eknath Shinde in the National Conference. All MLAs of the National Conference stand firmly with the party,” he said.
The Chief Minister also claimed that the Leader of Opposition was eager to assume power in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is obvious that the LOP is impatient to occupy the Chief Minister’s chair in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Omar said the delay in cabinet expansion was linked to the absence of statehood and not due to any internal concerns. “The cabinet expansion has been delayed because Jammu and Kashmir has not been granted statehood. It has not stopped due to fear,” he said.
He further alleged that Jammu and Kashmir would not be allowed to function properly unless the BJP formed the government.
“That is why I repeatedly say that the LOP, through his statements, proves that until the BJP forms the government, they will neither allow us to function properly nor restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Chief Minister urged people to understand what he described as the political narrative around statehood and accused the opposition of engaging in “blackmail politics.”
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those who voted for the BJP in the last election, should remember that the LOP and his party indulge in blackmail politics,” he said, adding that people were being “threatened in the name of statehood.”
Referring to Supreme Court judgments and constitutional procedures related to government formation, Omar said the single largest party after elections should be invited to form the government and be given an opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly.
“If we go by Supreme Court judgments, there should be no President’s Rule in such situations. There are several cases where the Supreme Court has clearly stated that after elections, the single largest party should be invited to form the government,” he said.
Citing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 13-day government, Omar said constitutional norms must be followed.
“This is what happened when Mr. Vajpayee formed the 13-day government. The President of India invited him to form the government without waiting for him to demonstrate his numbers,” he said.
“When Mr. Vajpayee did not have the required numbers, he resigned. There is no reason to halt the democratic process,” Omar added.