Omar Abdullah Challenges BJP to Substantiate Corruption Charges, Says Government Remains Committed to Manifesto
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party to substantiate its allegations of corruption against the National Conference-led Government, asserting that his administration neither controls investigative agencies nor possesses the authority to suppress evidence if any wrongdoing is found.
Responding to media queries after an extensive early-morning tour of Srinagar city, the Chief Minister said that if there was credible evidence of corruption, the competent agencies were free to investigate and proceed under law.
Referring specifically to allegations surrounding recruitment, Omar Abdullah said the agencies responsible for investigating corruption and criminal misconduct were not under the control of his Government. He pointed out that the police, Crime Branch and Anti-Corruption Bureau were outside the elected Government’s direct control, while central agencies were also beyond its authority.
He said that if any investigating agency had found evidence of corruption, it should place the facts on record and initiate appropriate legal action. The Chief Minister maintained that political allegations should not replace evidence and institutional investigation.
Omar Abdullah also rejected the suggestion that his Government had ignored the commitments made in the National Conference manifesto. He said the electorate had given the Government a five-year mandate and that its performance should be assessed against the full duration of that mandate rather than judged prematurely.
He maintained that the manifesto was conceived as a five-year roadmap and not as a short-term programme to be completed within a few months. According to him, work had already begun on different commitments and the remaining issues would continue to be addressed over the course of the Government’s term.
The Chief Minister also responded to concerns relating to basic infrastructure and public services, including drinking water, electricity and roads. He said development activity was underway across Assembly constituencies and that no constituency had been left untouched in these sectors.
On delays in road blacktopping, Omar Abdullah attributed the slowdown this year to disruption in the supply of bitumen. He said the shortage had affected the pace of road works, but added that supplies had now resumed and blacktopping operations were again underway.
On drinking water, the Chief Minister referred to the Jal Jeevan Mission and said the programme had faced difficulties after funding was interrupted. He added that the scheme had subsequently received fresh approval from the Union Cabinet and that funding had begun to resume, allowing pending and ongoing projects to move forward.
Regarding electricity supply, Omar Abdullah acknowledged that the Government was not yet in a position to provide round-the-clock power in every area. He, however, said power cuts had reduced and expressed confidence that the situation would continue to improve.
The Chief Minister’s remarks reflected an attempt to place current governance issues within a longer administrative and political timeframe. He argued that shortcomings in service delivery should be addressed through continued work and measurable improvement rather than through sweeping political accusations.
He also addressed a separate issue concerning an FIR registered by Kargil Police over alleged objectionable remarks against a religious leader. Omar Abdullah said offensive language against religious figures should be avoided and that religious sentiments, irrespective of faith, must be respected.
He maintained that if remarks had genuinely hurt the sentiments of a community, the police should proceed in accordance with law.
The Chief Minister’s broader message was that political criticism must be matched by evidence, governance must be judged over the full term, and public concerns over roads, water and electricity should be addressed through ongoing development work and institutional accountability.
