‘J&K’s Internal Matters Have Nothing to Do With America,’ Rahullah Says After US Ambassador’s Visit
Srinagar, Aug 22: National Conference MP Aga Syed Rahullah has questioned the Jammu and Kashmir government over what he described as a gap between the party’s election promises and its actions in office, particularly on electricity, while also sharply criticizing the involvement of the United States in matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to reporters, Rahullah said the National Conference had promised people during elections that 200 units of electricity would be provided free, but the commitment had not been fulfilled even after two years.
“We told people about electricity that we will give them free. We will give 200 units for free. For two years, we were not able to give 200 free units,” he said.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s earlier statement on electricity meters, Rahullah said Omar Abdullah had spoken about throwing the meters into the river but had not been able to do so.
He said he understood the logic behind installing meters, but questioned the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs instead of providing the promised 200 free units.
“Instead of giving 200 units for free, nearly seven percent is being increased,” Rahullah said.
The NC MP also hit out at party workers whom he described as “sycophants” for questioning his continued association with the National Conference whenever he raises issues concerning the government.
“When I raise my voice, some sycophants tell why I have not been resigning from the party. I am the agent of Delhi, I must tell, I am here because of the people and I ask for accountability,” he said.
Rahullah said his association with the National Conference was secondary to the trust he enjoys among the people.
“Whether I am in the National Conference, outside the National Conference, wherever I am, I have the trust of people behind me,” he said.
Taking a dig at those who, according to him, owe their political positions to the Chief Minister, Rahullah said their position was based on the trust of “a special person”, while he claimed his own position was based on the trust of the people.
He then turned his criticism towards the United States, referring to the ongoing conflicts and civilian suffering in Palestine, Iran and other parts of the region.
Rahullah as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust questioned the relevance of the US Ambassador’s comments on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said the region’s affairs were an internal matter.
“This is our internal matter. America has nothing to do with this,” he said.
Referring to the recent visit of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to Jammu and Kashmir, Rahullah questioned whether the Chief Minister had raised the issue of US actions and policies in Palestine, Gaza, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon during his interaction with the envoy.
He said the Chief Minister should have questioned the ambassador about the US position on the conflicts and civilian deaths in those regions instead of allowing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir to be discussed in a manner that, according to him, gave Washington a role in the region’s affairs.
“Is the situation here good or not? It has nothing to do with America,” Rahullah said, reiterating that issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir should be dealt with internally.
Rahullah also accused the National Conference leadership of being affected by what he termed “arrogance”, warning that such an approach could ultimately harm the party.
“The arrogance has drowned NC. It will drown them,” he said. [KNT]
