I will resign rather than ally with BJP over Statehood restoration: CM Omar Abdullah

Daily Excelsior | October 1, 2025 | 07:04 PM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir, Politics | Follow on Google News

I will resign rather than ally with BJP over Statehood restoration: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Sept 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would rather resign than join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to expedite the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at an event in Achabal in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Omar said he is not ready to make any political compromise for Statehood and challenged those who favour an alliance to remove him instead.

“If you are ready, then tell me, because I am not ready to make that trade. If it is needed to include the BJP in the government, then accept my resignation. Make any MLA here the Chief Minister and form the Government with the BJP,” he said.

The Chief Minister strongly rejected any path that, in his view, risks violence. “How much youth blood do you want to see shed here? At least I am against that. We will fight. We will fight through democratic ways. We will fight by peaceful means. We will get our rights under the law and the Constitution. But I am not ready to bring destruction and devastation to the homes of the people here,” he added.’

Omar also criticised those who had celebrated the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision, saying their current statements contradict their earlier reactions. “The people of Kargil never accepted that decision, but look at Leh, how their attitude has changed. The same people who burst firecrackers, distributed sweets, and said their wishes were fulfilled. Read their statements today. They say they opposed Article 370 for years, but now they realise it was meant for their safeguard,” he said.
On governance and development, the Chief Minister reiterated his administration’s commitment to accelerate promised projects. He said recent rains have caused extensive damage across J&K, affecting roads, water supply schemes, Government buildings, agricultural land, and orchards. He, however, insisted that the Government will continue to deliver on development. “The promises we have made to the people will be fulfilled,” he said.
Omar defended the right of elected representatives to speak for their constituents but stressed the need to acknowledge what has already been done alongside new demands. “Because if they do not do it, who will? After all, this Government is made by them. We are their representatives. We work for them so that this work reaches the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister inaugurated and dedicated fifteen Water Supply Schemes, constructed at a cost of Rs 63.97 crore, to the people of Anantnag district.
The schemes inaugurated include Hardu Shichan, Dawoodpora Tilwanipora Kamad, Achabal Town, Andoo Pushroo, Deethu Khul, Shergund Aho Paisan, Ranipora Chohar, Gadval, Kasana Mohalla, Narsangri Kachwan, Laigripora, Sangam Sethar, Pushkreeri, Bakerwal Basti Chek I and Shalgan GB. These schemes, with an investment of nearly Rs 64 crore, will provide safe and filtered drinking water to 24 villages and one town in the district, marking a major step towards strengthening rural water supply infrastructure.

Addressing a large gathering at Achabal after the inauguration, the Chief Minister underscored the significance of the achievement. “Today, we have handed over 15 water supply schemes to the people. Fifteen water supply schemes of four assembly segments. And clean drinking water, filtered water would be delivered to your homes. The schemes that are left, we will complete those schemes as well,” he said.
The Chief Minister further assured the people that development would not be confined to water supply alone. “The work of other departments, whether it is education, health, roads, industry, tourism, social welfare, tribal affairs, wherever you have expectations from the government, I promise you that we will meet those expectations. And we will fulfil the promises made to you. Have faith in us. The rest of the work is our responsibility,” he said.

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He also highlighted the challenges of governance, stating that sitting outside, many people think it is easy to run a government in such difficult circumstances. “I tell some of them, for example, come and sit on my chair for 10 days. If on the 11th day, you do not pull your legs, I’ll concede the point,” he said.

Referring to the financial liabilities inherited by his government, the Chief Minister noted that thousands of crores of rupees in pending payments had burdened contractors and service providers. “This is not my fault or Rana’s fault. We got this situation in inheritance. But we never made an excuse for this. We did not say that this is not our liability and we will not do anything about it.

On the contrary, we tried to solve it quietly. I sat with the minister in charge to find a solution to this. I don’t do politics of deceit. I have never used the situation as an excuse despite the fact that I know how difficult it is to work in these circumstances. But we will present ourselves to you only after we do our work. This is my promise to you,” he declared.

Daily Excelsior