‘Should focus on statehood restoration’
Srinagar: The Congress has claimed that ally Omar Abdullah’s approach to issues concerning the opposition has changed since he became Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The dig followed the National Conference leader junking allegations about the manipulation of EVMs or Electronic Voting Machines – raised by the Congress and several opposition parties.
Manickam Tagore, a senior Congress parliamentarian, said the recent allegations about EVMs following the Maharashtra election results were made by the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Samajwadi Party.
“It’s the Samajwadi Party, NCP, and Shiv Sena UBT that have spoken against EVMs. Please check your facts, CM @OmarAbdullah. The Congress CWC resolution clearly addresses the ECI only. Why this approach to our partners after being CM?” asked Tagore.
Opposition allegations over the functioning of EVMs had re-emerged recently with veteran politician Sharad Pawar raising doubts over the outcome of the Maharashtra polls. Pawar’s party – split by his nephew Ajit Pawar, who now heads the ‘original’ NCP – suffered its worst defeat in the recent polls.
None of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners could win even 10% of the total seats in the elections, which saw the opposition parties alleged discrepancies in the voting method.
A resolution by the Congress Working Committee – also shared by Tagore in response to Omar Abdullah – said the poor performance appeared to be a “clear case of targeted manipulation”. It also raised questions over the “partisan functioning” of the Election Commission.
Asked about the allegations, Omar Abdullah, whose party is part of the INDIA alliance, said that one must be “consistent” in questioning the machines that are used to hold elections across the country.
Senior vice president & chief spokesperson JKPCC Ravinder Sharma on Monday said the party was committed to addressing public concerns about electoral transparency.
Notably, the chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a recent interview had accused Congress of ‘inconsistency’, suggesting that the party celebrates EVM results when it wins but questions their integrity when it loses.
Sharma responded by dismissing the jibe, stating that the Congress part was duty-bound to represent the apprehensions of the people across the nation, including intellectuals, lawyers, and civil society members, who had raised doubts over the reliability of EVMs.
“It is our responsibility as the oldest political party in the country to uphold democracy and respond to the people’s concerns. While other parties, including the National Conference, are entitled to their views, the Congress will continue to chart its own path on such critical issues,” Sharma said.
Notably, this is not the first time the National Conference party and Omar Abdullah have spoken out against the Congress.
With a pre-poll alliance agreement ahead of the general assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir between the National Conference and Congress party, soon after the results, Abdullah criticised Congress for paying a lot of focus to Kashmir when the elections were about the party’s performance in Jammu.
Sharma said Abdullah should focus on pressing matters like the ‘restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood’ and the rights of its people rather than criticizing Congress.
Asked about Abdullah questioning Congress’s leadership role in the INDIA bloc alliance, Sharma refused a direct response but said, “He is entitled to his opinion, but the Congress remains steadfast in its leadership and commitment to the alliance’s goals.”
Sharma, however, added that the difference in opinions within the INDIA bloc was natural and that they do not undermine the collective mission to safeguard democracy and address public concerns. (ANB/KNO)
Omar’s approach changed as CM: Congress
