Srinagar: National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday likened running the government in Jammu and Kashmir under the present circumstances to “walking on the edge of a sword.”
Speaking to reporters, Farooq Abdullah said despite the challenges, governance has to continue. “To run the government in the current scenario is just like walking on the edge of a sword, but we have to run the government,” he remarked.
The NC chief reiterated that the restoration of statehood remains a vital demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Statehood is an important issue and people of Jammu and Kashmir hope it will be restored,” he said, adding that focus should remain on pressing Delhi for this demand.
When asked about the issue of separatist leader Yasin Malik, Abdullah declined to make any substantive comment. “The matter is before the court and the court will decide,” he told reporters.
On the Public Safety Act (PSA) slapped on Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, Abdullah expressed his disapproval, though he criticised the legislator’s choice of words. “The PSA on Mehraj Malik is not justified, but the unparliamentary language he used was wrong. We have no authority on this subject; the authority lies with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha,” he said.
Responding to a query about the reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST), Farooq Abdullah said that the issue of statehood must take precedence. “It is better to talk about statehood than GST,” he stated, indicating that political status and constitutional guarantees remain higher on his party’s agenda. [KNT]
