Srinagar, May 01 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the People's Democratic Party (PDP) of aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent Rajya Sabha polls, claiming that the party was now raising the Urdu language issue merely to divert public attention from its role in the elections.
He also rejected claims regarding any rollback of Urdu in government functioning.
"There is no truth in claims about dropping Urdu. No order has been issued. The file is still on my table, and I have not approved it," Abdullah told reporters after inaugurating 368 residential quarters for government employees at Sempora in Pampore.
He said the government had only sought public feedback on the proposal. "The proposal had come from the department and remained under consideration," he said, challenging critics to produce any official order regarding the removal of Urdu.
"May Allah protect us from those who do not see the difference between truth and lies," the CM, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), added.
Referring to the ongoing West Bengal Assembly polls, the Chief Minister said exit polls have repeatedly failed to reflect actual outcomes. "Earlier, also in West Bengal elections, exit polls showed one picture, but the results were different. We don't have to wait long, and results will be out, and exit polls will again be proved wrong," he said.
He said one polling agency refrained from publishing its exit poll as it was not in line with expectations.
On EVMs, Omar reiterated that he does not believe in pre-poll rigging through EVMs, but said concerns exist over post-process integrity. "Today, the concern is not EVMs. It is the deletion of voters from the voter list," he said, calling it a serious threat to democratic processes.
The Chief Minister said rising fuel prices were driving inflation and transport fares, adding that global conflicts were worsening the economic situation. "We were forced to increase fares. When oil prices rise, everything increases," he said.
He added that the solution lies in ending global conflicts. "This war should not have started. There is no justification for it. When tensions ease, oil prices will come down," he said.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated 368 residential quarters at Sempora in Pampore, developed at a cost of Rs 90.65 crore. The project comprises 23 residential blocks with modern 2BHK and 3BHK flats along with facilities such as a canteen and mess.
Officials said the housing complex is aimed at easing long-standing accommodation shortages among government employees, especially those posted outside their home districts.
CM Omar said strengthening employee welfare remains a core priority of his government, adding that residential infrastructure directly improves efficiency, stability and morale of government employees.
Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi, Additional Chief Secretary Estates Shaleen Kabra, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom, Director Estates Ashwini Khajuria and other senior officials were present—(KNO)