"Modi does have an impact but I don't consider it a wave" says Omar Abdullah at India Today Conclave 2014

"Modi does have an impact but I don't consider it a wave"

Session: New Generation, New Politics: Kashmir Looks Ahead

Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah began his session by jumping into the raging debate over sedition charges slapped on Kashmiri students in a Meerut college for supporting the Pakistan cricket team in its Asia Cup match against India. "It was inappropriate of the students on Indian government scholarship to cheer the Pakistani team. But then again, whether cheering a team can be linked to patriotism is a complex issue. Don't we feel happy when Pakistanis cheer Indian players in Pakistan? Action against the students by the university was enough I feel, slapping sedition charges were going overboard," Abdullah said. He went on to add that Kashmiris alone being tried for their patriotism during cricket matches with Pakistan was a vexing issue. "The biggest achievement in Jammu and Kashmir would be to end the uncertainty in minds of the youth. Yes, there is some disconnect, more in urban areas," the Chief Minister said. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan will not have any major adverse impact on J&K, he added, because improvement here is because of internal reasons.

Speaking about the armed forces, he said they need legal cover to carry out internal security duties in places such as Kashmir, which he didn't oppose, but felt they should have accountability as well.

After the disastrous summer of 2010, which he said was the worst period of his life, Abdullah admitted he started taking even small problems seriously. "I have learnt a lot," he said.

Regarding the forthcoming General Elections, he said the National Conference can't align with BJP as there is no BJP leader who comes close to Atal Bihar Vajpayee in his inclusiveness. He did admit, though, that Modi has an impact, even in Jammu, where he drew larger crowds than what he had expected. "But I do not consider it a wave. A wave was what Rajiv Gandhi had following the assassination of Indira Gandhi," he clarified. "UPA is not in good shape but there is still time before elections," he added.

Source : Equity Bulls

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