Separatists in J-k should respect peoples` sentiments: Omar

Sumir Kaul
Srinagar, Dec 31 (PTI) Asking separatists in India's
frontier state of Jammu and Kashmir to respect the sentiments
of the people, Omar Abdullah, who is all set to become the new
chief minister, Wednesday said they should strengthen the
hands of the state government instead of resorting to strikes
and bandhs.

The 38-year old National Conference president also
wanted the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to
have a fresh look at peace efforts with Pakistan and work for
quickly removing "misunderstandings".

"The call for a poll boycott by separatists has not
borne any fruit and people in the state have shown that they
want peace and nothing less," he said.

"Respecting this sentiment, the separatists should
strengthen the hands of the state government and be a
constructive critic rather than give calls for hartals and
bandhs," Omar, who will soon become the state's youngest chief
minister, told PTI.

Outlining his goals, Omar said the state has to work
with double the effort to bring its economy back on track.

"We have to bring in more and more public and private
firms into the state and create special areas meant for
various industries and manufacturing sectors. All this will be
possible once a sense of peace is ensured in the state," Omar
said.

The National Conference(NC), which bagged 28 seats in
the polls, is tying up with the Congress which won 17 seats in
the 87-member assembly to form the new government. The
elections witnessed a high voter turnout of 61.5
percent.

Omar said the Central government needed to give a fresh
look at peace efforts with Pakistan and ensure that the
"misunderstandings are removed as quickly as possible".

"A stable relation with the neighbouring country will be
highly beneficial for the country," he said.

Omar expressed confidence about NC-Congress coalition
government. Both the parties have come on a common platform.
"Both have an agenda of not sacrificing the people's interest
for petty politics."

However, the National Conference Chief feels the time
has come for every party including the People's Democratic
Party (PDP) , Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and even the
independents to work together with the coalition government
for making the lives of people better.

"There are several areas in the state where there is no
electricity and proper roads. These are issues that will be on
top of my priority list," he said.

Asked about the National Conference-Congress alliance in
1987 which came a cropper, Omar said "one must not forget the
mistakes are milestones to success. We, together, will be able
to ensure that this alliance lasts for the entire six years."

"Failure once does not mean that the alliance cannot
take place again. And things have changed since then and we
will stand benefited," he said.

On his relation with Congress General Secretary Rahul
Gandhi, Omar asked "Why is this an issue. Can't the third
generation work together?"

"My grandfather (Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah) worked with
his grandmother (Indira Gandhi), my father (Farooq Abdullah)
worked with his father (Rajiv Gandhi), so I think we can also
work together," Omar said, adding, "may be the time has come
for the third generation to work together at the state level
as well," Omar added. PTI