Srinagar, Jan 17 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on Friday said working with the central government does not in any way mean that he accepts everything that the Government of India does.
Speaking about skiing on the slopes of Gulmarg, Omar Abdullah said his vision for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir through development, particularly focusing on Kashmir’s vast tourism potential.
Pertainly, Gulmarg, known as an international skiing destination, has caught the attention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is keen on developing the area further as a key tourism hotspot.
Amid criticism suggesting that Omar Abdullah’s focus on skiing is a distraction from development efforts, the Chief Minister clarified, while speaking on India Today’s “Jab We Met” program, said we are not diverting money from anywhere else to develop this.
He said, tourism is the foundation of our economy. Tourism, agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts—these are all interconnected. People come here for tourism and buy local products such as saffron, apples, almonds, and other handicrafts.
Omar further defended the development of Gulmarg’s infrastructure, including the installation of ski lifts. “Look at the number of people here. These lifts are not just for me; they are for everybody,” he said. He also highlighted how local youth are increasingly involved in skiing and other sports, adding that Gulmarg is not only attracting international tourists but also seeing a rise in Indian visitors.
While discussing the challenges of attracting international tourists, Omar acknowledged the impact of travel advisories, saying, “One of the problems we face are travel advisories, but even with those restrictions, we do hope to have more foreign tourists. We hope that these travel advisories will be eased soon. The Ministry of Home Affairs will review them.”
When asked about his personal passion for skiing, Omar smiled and said, “I’m just a keen skier.” However, his remarks on governance reflected his larger concerns for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Regarding his relationship with the central government, he said, “Look, if push comes to shove, why should one start on a bad note? The fact is, when I met the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, they were clear in saying that the people have spoken, and the mandate must be respected. They will support and assist the government to the fullest extent. If there’s no reason for conflict, why should I pick a fight when it’s not necessary? If that situation arises, we will deal with it, but it hasn’t yet.”
Omar also acknowledged the pressures of being Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, saying, “Politics is about differing opinions. There will be people who don’t agree with me. They are welcome to try their luck and sit on the chair where I am sitting. Let them, and then they will be as smart as they like.”
When questioned about his approach to working with the central government, Omar made it clear, “I am not soft towards the center. Please understand, working with the Government of India does not mean that I accept everything they do. It doesn’t mean I accept what the BJP does. There is no common ground between the National Conference’s position on issues that matter to Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP’s policies. There is no agreement on these things. But if we agree that Jammu and Kashmir needs to progress, that development needs to take place, and that statehood needs to be restored, then why should I pick a fight at this moment?”—(Agencies)
