Backs Gandhi; says, ‘If Opposition leader does not oppose, then what is the use of it’; asks politicians to leave religious issues to religious leaders
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday defended Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi amid criticism over his protests and political interventions, saying it is the Opposition’s job to question the government and make it answerable.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said Rahul Gandhi was doing what was expected of an Opposition leader.
“If the Opposition leader does not oppose, then what is the use of it?” Omar said.
“I have not heard you ask the Opposition leader of Jammu and Kashmir why you ask questions again and again in vain. When he does it, you enjoy it. When Rahul Gandhi does it, you say, why is he doing it?” he said.
The Chief Minister said Opposition leaders should not be judged by different standards. “Rahul Gandhi is doing what the country expects from him. It is the job of the Opposition leader to question the government and make it answerable. Rahul Gandhi is doing that,” he said.
“I would like him to continue doing that, because this is the job of the Opposition,” Omar added.
On remarks by the Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition concerning religion, Omar said political leaders should avoid commenting excessively on religious matters. “He is the Leader of the Opposition. He is not the leader of the religion,” Omar said.
“Leave religious issues to the religious leaders. Leave these issues to politicians,” he added.
Omar also cautioned against playing with people’s emotions while referring to violence and religious tensions. “People should not play with people’s emotions,” he said.
On the shrinking green spaces in Kashmir, the Chief Minister said development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. “We cannot tell people not to build houses. But we tell people to use as little land as possible,” he said.
“Once the land is gone, we cannot bring it back. We can generate more electricity, we can make water, we can do many things. But once the land is gone, we cannot bring it back. So we need balanced development,” Omar said.
He said people should build houses while protecting green spaces “as much as possible”.
Asked about the situation in Kishtwar, where a schoolgirl died while pregnant, Omar said he hoped the administration and law-and-order authorities would complete their investigation at the earliest.
“I know that this is a very sad situation. We hope that the administration, especially the law-and-order authorities, will take action as soon as possible,” he said.
“They should complete their investigation as soon as possible,” the Chief Minister added.—(KNO)
