published by, Pragati Pal
Last Update: June 04, 2023, 17:38 IST
The NC president was replying to a question whether holding the G20 meeting in Srinagar would benefit the union territory. (File Photo/PTI)
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah also said that Jammu and Kashmir had to suffer heavily due to the lack of an elected government.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said holding the G20 event in Kashmir will not benefit tourism in the Valley unless India and Pakistan resolve the “future” of the Union Territory through dialogue. .
He also said that Jammu and Kashmir suffered heavily due to the lack of an elected government.
“The question is whether we will benefit in terms of tourism from these countries. This cannot happen until the situation here improves and the situation will not improve until the two big countries hold talks on how to shape the future of this state.
The NC president was replying to a question whether holding the G20 meeting in Srinagar would benefit the union territory.
“We did. Roads that had been dilapidated for many years were repaired. The walls got a new coat of paint. The street lights started working. So we benefited from it,” he said.
On the lack of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said, “Democracy happens when there is an elected government. One LG and his advisors cannot look after the entire state. There are legislators who look after their respective areas.” Because it is their duty. Bureaucracy doesn’t care about these things because they don’t retire till the age of 60. An MLA has to go to the public every five years. If he doesn’t work, he won’t get votes. So , It is very important that elections should be held here.”
The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar said his party is ready for elections any time.
Responding to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s statement that some parties in Kashmir had hijacked elections in the past, Abdullah said, “Don’t they have the means to counter it? They can go to the High Court or the Election Commission. Even Indira Gandhi was deposed (by the High Court). There are ways.” On the Odisha train accident, he said it is one of the biggest disasters in the world.
He said more than 300 people had died and hundreds of others were injured.
“There should be an inquiry into how this happened and who is responsible for it,” Abdullah said.
The incident between the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, which was carrying around 2,500 passengers, and a goods train took place near Bahanga Bazar station in Balasore around 7 pm on Friday. At least 288 people were killed and more than 1,100 were injured.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,