FTN: Quitter yet winner: Omar, J-K's best bet

FOR KASHMIR'S SAKE: Muzaffar Beig (R) made a U-turn on 'Face the Nation', said Omar wasn't involved in sex scandal.

          

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When the crossfire died down, the debate edged back to what Amitabh Mattoo had said earlier - about charges and counter-charges being exchanged by the ruling National Conference and the PDP. He had asked whether it was not the responsibility of the government and the Opposition to offer olive branches to each other to try and govern the state better.

Farooq Abdullah said that they had the responsibility, but this did not mean that the Opposition could levy any charges and they would remain slient.

"The people are our masters and we have to go back to them in five-and-a-half years and we are answerable to them. We have to respond to such grave charges," Farooq Abdullah said.

Mattoo broke in here saying that the mandate of the people of Kashmir in this election would be frittered away in all the charges and counter charges, unless there was an actual mindset change.

"I plead to all the three big leaders taking part in this debate to forget their differences and think of the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The future of Kashmir lies in reconciliation, not in destroying each other. Let us try and create a new Kashmir in which everyone will have space. It's possible. The mandate of the 2008 elections demonstrated that all Kashmiris want peace with dignity and if we work together, we can create that space and that new Kashmir. Scoring tactical points will not help. Marginalising someone's reputation will not help. Can we act together? That's the question," he said.

Muzaffar Beig made a complete U-turn at this point saying that he had a soft corner for Farooq Abdullah as a person which had a reflection in what he felt for Omar Abdullah - another soft corner. " We should leave this behind us for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. As Opposition we will support the government on all issues," he said.

Beig then blamed everything on the "honourable" Speaker in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, saying his behaviour left something to be desired.

Farooq Abdullah concluded the debate saying, "We want development of the state, to give honourable and dignified lives to those who have suffered. The Centre is being a great help to us at this point in time and are giving us ample resources. I hope what Muzaffar Beig has said will be followed in letter and spirit."

FINAL SMS/ WEB POLL: Is Omar Abdullah still Kashmir's best bet?

Yes: 80 per cent

No: 20 per cent