- Congress targets Omar-led Government, accuses it of abdicating responsibilities
Srinagar, Sept 21: The Congress party launched a sharp attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government today, accusing it of failing to shoulder its responsibilities at a time when people are grappling with crises. AICC general secretary in-charge J&K, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, speaking at a convention in Uri, said that elected representatives cannot distance themselves from accountability by claiming that “nothing is in their hands.”
Hussain noted that such a stance was deeply disappointing for people who place their trust in democratic institutions. “When people elect us, it is with the expectation that their concerns will be raised and their grievances addressed. Saying that matters are beyond our control disheartens the very people who voted us to power,” he remarked. His comments came in response to the Chief Minister’s statement that the restoration of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was not within his control.
The Congress leader argued that such a defeatist approach erodes public faith. “If we raise our hands in helplessness, the people will lose confidence in us. Our job as elected representatives is to fight—be it for proper compensation to flood-hit families, for smooth transport of essential supplies, or for ensuring connectivity to affected regions. Abdication is not an option,” he said.
Turning his ire towards the Centre, Hussain described the recently announced Rs 209 crore relief package for J&K as nothing short of a “cruel joke.” He said the damages from floods and road closures were estimated at more than Rs 2,000 crore, and the amount allocated was an “insult to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” He vowed that Congress would raise this issue at the national level, write formally to the Centre, and demand a realistic relief package.
Hussain also underscored the urgency of conducting a proper damage assessment and preparing a comprehensive report that could form the basis of a larger economic package. He stressed that priority must be given to ensuring the smooth passage of fruit-laden trucks, which form the backbone of the Valley’s horticulture economy, and to upgrading road connectivity to prevent further losses.
Responding to questions about the Public Safety Act (PSA) being slapped on Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, the Congress leader made it clear that his party was opposed to such measures. “We have already stated our stand. Detaining elected representatives under such harsh laws is unhealthy for democracy. At the same time, representatives must also exercise restraint and respect institutions, but the government cannot use laws like PSA to stifle voices,” he said.
The remarks were made on the sidelines of a one-day convention of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) held in Uri. The meeting, presided over by Dr. Hussain and JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, was attended by senior leaders including MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, GM Saroori, and Taj Mohi-ud-Din.
The convention saw party workers and supporters raise slogans such as “vote chor, gadi chor,” and leaders called for energizing the party structure at the grassroots. They highlighted unemployment as one of the gravest challenges facing the Union Territory, while also demanding adequate compensation for fruit growers and flood-affected families. Connectivity, both road and rail, was underscored as a critical need for ensuring the economic revival of the region.