Click to play videoDismissing that the National Conference (NC) is angry with the UPA regarding portfolio allocations, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that there could be light at the end of political tunnel for NC in the second round of Government formation.
It is believed that a miffed NC chief Farooq Abdullah, who had expected to get a Cabinet berth, left the country for South Africa to watch the IPL matches after UPA indicated that he may not get a ministry.
CNN-IBN’s Anubha Bhonsle spoke to Omar Abdullah hours before the swearing-in ceremony. Excerpts from the interview:
CNN-IBN: We believe your father has already left for South Africa.
Omar Abdullah: I believe so. I spoke to him this morning and he briefed me on the conversation he had with Dr Manmohan Singh late last night. And he borrowed a suitcase from me and left for South Africa.
CNN-IBN: What has been the problem?
Omar Abdullah: I don't think there has been a problem. The only problem could have been a slight gap in communication. Dr Abdullah or nobody from the National Conference has been hankering after a ministry. In fact more has been talked about in the media rather than the political circles on who should and who should not get a ministry from Jammu and Kashmir. So I am not going to get into that.
But as a result of these speculations his plans, which had been made sometime ago, of travelling to South Africa for the two semi-finals and finals of the IPL, they were getting disturbed. Because obviously if he were to be sworn in then he would not have gone to South Africa. And all he was waiting for were some clear indications on what plans he should make. And that indication came and he has proceeded with his plans.
CNN-IBN: Is that an indication that he is not getting a ministerial berth?
Omar Abdullah: If he was in the Cabinet then he would have been here. So clearly he is not in the first round of ministries. It is also important to recognise that this is the first chapter in Government formation. Even the DMK is not part of this round of ministries and so some efforts are being made to bring them in because the Prime Minister is holding their portfolios with him for the time being.
So there are many more chapters that are still to be written in this Government formation for which you (press) all will have a lot of slogging to do. But we will just wait and see.
CNN-IBN: The Congress has been almost labouring over these portfolio allocations over the past few days. The Congress managers are saying that perhaps he (Farooq Abdullah) could have waited. It really seems to be in a bad taste, if I could call it, that he has left for the IPL. Perhaps, he is not even attaching too much importance to this swearing-in. Why not just wait and see.
Omar Abdullah: Well, he has not been invited to attend the swearing-in but he has been invited to attend the IPL semi-finals and finals. But there is absolutely no bad taste. We were waiting for an indication. That's all we were waiting for. We were not hankering after portfolios or lobbying or anything of that sort.
Even though a fairly sustained campaign was waged in certain sections of the media against Dr Abdullah for what was perceived to be the betrayal of the NC. But we held our peace. All Dr Abdullah wanted was an indication and I say, with whatever authority I have, that the conversation with the PM yesterday has left with no possibility of any sort of ill will or bad feelings.
It was a very good conversation in which Dr Abdullah was himself satisfied with what the PM had to say. And this chapter is closed.
CNN-IBN: It is rather strange that all the allies of the Congress are either not taking part like the DMK is staying outside the Government but still maintains that the Congress remains a good friend and a good ally. You, too, seem to be saying the same.
Omar Abdullah: We are an ally of the UPA. We made it very clear right in the beginning that this relationship with the UPA is not about individual ministries. It is about the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is about what the PM has committed to the people of J-K. I am in alliance with the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir and I know what it is like to run a coalition. The pulls and pressures with the balancing acts that have to be done. So this is part of growing up in politics.
CNN-IBN: You hinted at the second round of government formation. Is there some indication that the Congress has given that perhaps the NC can get accommodated in the second round of formation?
Omar Abdullah: That is for Dr Abdullah and Dr Manmohan Singh to comment upon if they feel the need to. I am not authorised to say anymore than the fact that Dr Abdullah was fairly satisfied with the general conversation that he had with Dr Manmohan Singh.
CNN-IBN: So there is no love lost between the two alliance partners?
Omar Abdullah: Well that would suggest that there is no love between the two alliance parties. Let me just say that there are no lasting scars. And we are firmly committed to a strong and stable UPA Government at the Centre and a strong, stable state government for which the people of J-K have given us the verdict.
CNN-IBN: If the swearing-in is any indication then it is as exciting as a 20-20 match.
Omar Abdullah: Yes, except that in a 20-20 match there are winners and losers. But in this case there will be no losers. The people of India will come out as the winners and that is what we want.
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