SEPT 18- “I am not dreaming to become Prime Ministerial candidate and want to serve the state only,” said the young Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, while interacting with meritorious students at a function in Jammu on Monday.
The CM, who was in good mood on Monday, instead of delivering speech, opted to interact with students and allow them to ask him questions. While replying to the queries of students, Omar disclosed many things about his politics and his desires.
When a student asked the CM if he will he accept any offer to become a PM candidate in the next elections, he smiled and replied, “I do not have the ticket to reach the big chair. I have not even desired the PM candidature and I am not dreaming of the same.” He added that those who are dreaming for the same could continue and he only wants to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Similarly, when a girl student asked him what is the meaning of politics for him and why he joined politics, the CM replied that his political agenda is not focused on obtaining the chair but to serve people and steer the state towards peace, prosperity and development.
He said some politicians may have the political aim of obtaining power but his politics revolves around the public.
The Chief Minister said that all politicians do not harbour vested interests. “Like in other fields of life there may be some bad politicians in political field but the majority of them are good people committed to the service to the people and the nation”, he said and asked students not to shun the desire of entering politics after completing their studies by getting disappointed with the performance and actions of some politicians.
In response to a query by a student about his role model during his school days, Omar said that actually he wanted to become a pilot, he wanted to fly, but destiny shifted him to politics and till date he has had many role models in different fields but not particularly in politics.
He also advised the students to choose different role models and then select the best among them.
On a question as to why he and his government did not not allow BJP leader Arun Jaitley to visit Kishtwar during tensions in August 2013, Omar Abdullah asked a counter question, “Why has Arun Jaitley not visited Muzaffarnagar, and why did he only want to visit Kishtwar?” Omar said that his motto is to bring peace and calm in Kishtwar and for that he had not only stopped Arun Jaitley, but Deputy CM, Congress state president and also his cabinet and party colleagues.
Describing the youth as the future of the country, the Chief Minister told them to nurture themselves into the best possible human resource to lead the state and the country as capable, qualified and astute leaders. “All of us have to leave the field for younger generation. Politics is no different game. Politicians have also to make way for young people to come in and hold the stage”, he said and expressed the hope that the younger generation would be better managers of the affairs in future.
Replying to the questions of the students after addressing them at the ‘Pratiba Samman Samaroh 2013’ at Gandhi Nagar in Jammu which was organised by a national hindi daily, the Chief Minister said that respecting each other, spreading love and affection and making public service a benchmark in all sphere of life, makes a person an ideal citizen.
“We may not resemble each other in colour, creed and caste. Our religion, ideology, region, language, culture may be different.
But we can live together in an atmosphere of amity and brotherhood and prosper jointly”, he said and added that India is the abode of different cultures, religions, languages, regions and an ideal citizen would respect his fellow citizens and extend help without having consideration.
The Chief Minister said that the society and democracy stand on four important pillars of legislature, judiciary, executive and media. He said all are equally responsible to build a principle-based society where justice, rule of law and inclusive development will be the guiding principle for all.
In reply to another question, the Chief Minister extended gratitude to the people of Jammu for exhibiting maturity and responsibility in denying the anti-peace elements to spread hatred after the Kishtwar incident.
He said when any tension of such a nature emerges and people of different sections are emotionally at peak, the only priority before the government is to maintain calm.
“Allowing any political leader to visit the disturbed area or not is not of prime concern or importance of the administration at that point in time but safeguarding the people and bring normalcy is of highest priority”, he said.
INDIA TODAY
