Jammu, March 3: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, remarked on Monday that during the tenure of the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, India and Pakistan showed signs of progress in addressing the Kashmir conflict. He expressed skepticism about a return to that progressive state within his lifetime.
While paying tribute to Singh and four other former legislators during the first session of the J-K Assembly’s Budget Session, Abdullah praised Singh’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, noting that his working groups remain significant today.
The Assembly held a moment of silence to honor former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ex-minister Syed Ghulam Hussain Geelani, former Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, and former MLAs Ghulam Hassan Parrey and Choudhary Piara Singh, who passed away since the last assembly session in November.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather initiated the obituary references following an address from Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. Several members, including Sham Lal Sharma (BJP), G A Mir (Congress), and M Y Tarigami (CPIM), also shared their thoughts in the assembly.
“In the previous assembly session (in Srinagar), we honored a long list that included former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, and now, four months later, we recognize a shorter list led by another former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who made significant contributions to the nation,” the Chief Minister stated.
Abdullah highlighted Singh’s inspiring journey from a village in what is now Pakistan to becoming India’s Prime Minister, crediting him with playing a vital role in transforming India into an economic power through reforms focused on the private sector and social welfare.
Concerning Jammu and Kashmir, he noted that Singh endeavored to tackle the issue with Pakistan, building upon the initiatives begun by Vajpayee and former Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf. Although he took on the responsibility of the initiative upon becoming Prime Minister in 2004, Abdullah remarked that Singh recognized its importance and continued its momentum despite the challenges faced.
Abdullah reflected on the challenges during Singh’s tenure and noted, “Both countries drew closer to a resolution of the Kashmir issue during that period, and I do not foresee a return to those conditions in my lifetime.”
He remarked on Singh’s attempts to mend relations during the deterioration in 2010, when Singh established working groups aimed at enhancing governance and promoting political dialogue, which are still pertinent today.
Singh had formed five working groups focusing on Jammu and Kashmir to foster development and create an environment conducive to lasting peace in the region.
Addressing the issue of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah acknowledged that while discussions about the community are prevalent, it was Singh’s administration that took meaningful steps for their welfare. “He implemented job reservations for the community in Kashmir, which we advocated for. No other government made such efforts,” Abdullah said, adding that relief measures included the establishment of Jagti township in Jammu for Pandit families residing in temporary accommodations.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the improvements to the Jammu-Srinagar national highway infrastructure, emphasizing that it was Singh who initiated the four-lane project for J-K.
Regarding the railway project connecting Kashmir to the rest of India, he stated, “We are eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister to inaugurate this service, and I hope it will happen soon.” Abdullah shared that he had previously joined the former Prime Minister for the inauguration of the Banihal section of the rail link, adding that the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, started construction during Singh’s tenure—though he lamented that Singh would not be present to see it completed.
He described Singh as a misunderstood leader, asserting that history would evaluate him more favorably. Praising Singh’s humility, Abdullah noted that even during turbulent times in Kashmir in 2016, when he was no longer in power, Singh remained accessible to listen to the people.
Recalling a past instance during his earlier term as Chief Minister where he felt the need to apologize for a mistake, Abdullah noted, “I had written to Singh and was accused of leaking the contents, which I clarified after he called me. Once he understood the situation, he promptly reached out to apologize.”
Earlier, Tarigami emphasized that a crucial question persisted on how to enhance India-Pakistan relations for enduring peace. BJP’s Sharma remarked that Singh laid the groundwork for India’s economy, enabling the nation to become the fifth-largest economy globally. (Agencies)
