Omar Abdullah Hails Vajpayee’s Dialogue Initiative, Rues Current Impasse

 KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s approach to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it could have prevented the current situation. Omar Abdullah recalled Vajpayee’s 1999 visit to Pakistan, where he visited Minar-e-Pakistan and advocated for dialogue, showing his commitment to improving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the Legislative Assembly’s obituary references, Omar Abdullah acknowledged Vajpayee’s efforts to ease tension and bring civil societies closer. He said that Vajpayee worked to open cross-LoC routes, which were later closed again. He expressed regret that Vajpayee’s approach was forgotten after he left office.

Omar Abdullah as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust said that the list for obituary references was unusually long, indicating a significant gap between the current and previous sessions. “The last such session was held in 2018,” he pointed out.

He also referenced the 2000 autonomy resolution, stating that Vajpayee later realized the government’s hasty reaction and appointed Arun Jaitley to hold talks. He claimed that Vajpayee’s intentions for Jammu and Kashmir were genuine.

Omar Abdullah paid tribute to 57 personalities, including former presidents, prime ministers, governors, and lawmakers. Notably, he mentioned that this might be the last time honoring those from Ladakh. [KNT]