CM Omar Abdullah and LG Manoj Sinha.
The founding day of the Union Territory was celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir. On this occasion all the bureaucrats and officials including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha were present. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other leaders of his party stayed away from this programme. Responding to this, LG Manoj Sinha said that it is unfortunate that the same people who took oath on the Indian Constitution did not participate in the event. He called it a symbol of “double character” and said that these leaders are opposed to the status of the UT, while they have taken oath to hold constitutional positions in the same UT.
LG Sinha said that Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory and should be accepted by all. He further said that the day when Jammu and Kashmir gets statehood again, that day will also be celebrated with full enthusiasm.
‘Black day for Jammu and Kashmir’
On the other hand, People’s Democratic Party supremo Mehbooba Mufti termed this day as a “black day” for Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that this step has not been taken for development but to take away the rights of the people. At the same time, the National Conference also opposed the UT status, calling it a “day of humiliation” and reiterated the demand for restoration of statehood. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur also reacted on the occasion and said, “If Omar Abdullah had no problem becoming Chief Minister of the Union Territory, then he should have no problem participating in the Foundation Day celebrations. Omar Saheb first became Chief Minister and MLA by contesting elections in UT, and now he is misleading the public.
Speaking to the media, LG Manoj Sinha said the Home Minister had made it clear in Parliament that first there would be delimitation, then elections and at the appropriate time, statehood would be restored.
the constitution must be respected
Senior Vice President of the conference and former Minister Abdul Ghani Vakil said that we have to accept what the Constitution of India states and constitutionally the Government of India has made the state a UT so we have to respect the Constitution . At the same time, Vaid Mahajan, general secretary of the Congress organization in Jammu and Kashmir, said that apart from the boycott of North Carolina and the Congress, we have decided to boycott the Union Territory Day celebrations, but the lieutenant governor continues to celebrate the UT Day. Sprinkling salt on our wounds.
