The first unwholesome scene was created on the opening day of the budget session, by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by flamboyant Mehbooba Mufti, who has had been playing footsie with the Kashmiri separatists, to demoralize Abdullah. Irked by the Shopian rape-murder case, Mehbooba created a pandemonium and wrenched the mike out of the Speaker’s podium. She was about to hurl it on the Speaker’s face, before she was physically removed from the House, to the derisiveness of TV gazers nationwide.

The act two of the well-rehearsed plot was stunning. PDP legislator Muzaffar Hussain Beigh—former Deputy Chief Minister in the PDP-Congress coalition government—created a ruckus by heaping a strident allegation on Omar Abdullah that his name had figured in a CBI list of ‘accused’ in the 2006 infamous Srinagar sex scandal case, which had rocked the state.

The House was bewildered to hear Beigh’s diatribe: “I have to say with regret, there is the name of Omar Abdullah, son of Farooq Abdullah, on the list of suspects in the sex scandal case. He has lost his moral authority to rule the state. He must resign.” Naturally, Omar was crest-fallen, visibly moved and perturbed because of the PDP’s paroxysm. No one has raised a finger against Omar Abdullah and besmirched his character. However, he faced the ‘psychological assault’ fairly well. PDP tried to dig up three-year-old scandal, which had shocked the nation.

After regaining composure, the Chief Minister rushed to Governor N. N. Vohra to submit his resignation. He was forcefully persuaded by his party colleagues not to take a hasty decision. But all their attempts failed. Omar remained adamant. Both Mehbooba and Beigh created horrendous scenes, unbecoming of a political leadership. Whatever his critics might say, Omar exhibited his moral uprightness. He took the right decision to resign because of the slur heaped on him. Being young (39) and cool, he could not handle the emerging and developing situation properly to repulse the vitriolic allegations. PDP just made a mockery of democracy.

Instead of strengthening the democratic norms, the PDP is trying to put a spoke in the state’s wheel of economic development. Omar Abdullah’s government has been in the saddle just for six months. It is not enough to judge his capability. But people have voted him to power and he should be allowed to meet their aspirations. Reports suggest that he is working sincerely to bring much needed peace and political stability in his beleaguered state, despite constant attempts by Pakistan and its surrogate elements in the valley to stall development process. Of all his predecessors, he seems to be the best choice for the people. At least he is not a crook. He does not change his stance from time to time.

During the past few months, his government has been making concerted efforts for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. He has taken up this issue with the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. The CRPF has already been replaced by the state police, because of his initiative. His government has accorded priority to the construction of roads, people’s health care, power generation and various welfare measures. Progress cannot be sustained when hurdles are created by the PDP, in league with the separatists. The valley is writhing in pain and needs a healing touch in the real sense. Mischief mongers want to keep the Kashmir cauldron boiling for their vested interests.

The PDP has always played an adversarial role. When in power, the party demanded demilitarization of Jammu and Kashmir, in tune with Pakistan. It is in direct consonance with the PDP’s ‘self-rule’ theory. It sought to break ties with the then coalition partner Congress on the issue. The Mufti wanted “Panun (our) Kashmir Administrative Service and Panun Kashmir Police Service”. Earlier, he had advocated his party’s ‘political goal’ which said was “restoration of Kashmir’s status to the 16th century sovereignty”, when the last monarch Yusuf Shah Chak had ruled over the valley. The Mufti even wanted a common currency with Pakistan to flourish trade.

Vohra thought it prudent to reject Abdullah’s resignation and advised him to “vigorously devote himself towards discharging his responsibilities as Chief Minister” at this precarious juncture. The Governor made it clear to him that he was above board as per CBI findings. He is not accused, based on the information Vohra had received from the Union Home Ministry. The Speaker M A Lone also announced in the charged House that he had received a clarification that Omar Abdullah’s name does not figure in the list of the accused in the case. After the interlude, it was Mehbooba’s turn again to enact the last scene. She tore into pieces a copy of the CBI report, which had given clean chit to Omar in the sex scandal. Mehbooba exhibited the CBI report on the floor of the House and demanded a judicial probe into the allegations. The CBI has absolved Omar Abdullah of any link to the scandal. The ruling NC-Congress immediately moved a privilege motion against Beigh. There are allegations against him that he has not conducted well ‘with dignity’ expected of a senior minister.

It is not for the first time that such an ugly scene was created in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. I recall how as Speaker, late Ali Mohammad Ittoo, was forcibly removed from his chair in the Assembly by ‘commondos’ (security personnel in civil uniform). They were kept seated in the visitors’ gallery. It happened during 1984. G M Shah Government had to seek vote of confidence and install its own speaker. Shah had separated from the NC, led by Farooq Abdullah. Thirteen MLAs had sided with Shah, who formed government with Congress support, then led by the Mufti. The commandos pounced upon Ittoo.

Beigh’s charges amount to character assassination. Omar knew the charges were ‘false’, but he wanted to resign till he was cleared. It was a question mark on his character. “This is a blot on my character…since the allegations raise questions on my morality, I consider myself guilty until proven innocent”, he pleaded with the Governor.

Omar took over the reigns of the government on the crest of the recharged political scenario. He has a different outlook and is aware of the problems confronting the border state. His task is not free from hurdles, given the nature of the opposition. People have voted for better governance and democracy. The PDP got disturbed with the NC-Congress tie-up, after recent polls, fearing retribution. The Muftis made frantic efforts to wean away the Congress from NC.

Muftis never criticized Pakistan on the issue of terrorist infrastructure directed against India, particularly Kashmir. Omar Abdullah, while in Pakistan had blasted that country for engineering militancy in Kashmir. In 90s, ‘guest militants’ (mercenaries) acted like predators and raped minor girls at will, without any murmur from the Muslim fundamentalists. But this year, there were prolonged demonstrations following the Shopian rape case.

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