How do you view the recent court judgment?
We put our case strongly before the court and we have won it. It shows that the case put on me was false. The fact that the president of a political party was accused in a false case shows that there was more than that meets the eye.
How were your recent parleys with the Congress?
We had a good meeting in a cordial atmosphere. The alliance is on track and, God willing, it will run smoothly. The CPI(M) is also a part of the alliance. I hope our people are also with us and we shall win with the blessings of Allah. People have faced problems for several years and we hope that the statehood will be reinstated.
Are you contesting the elections?
I will contest these elections. Omar Abdullah will not contest the elections. When the state status is granted, then I will step down and Omar will contest from that seat.
Do you then endorse Rahul
Gandhi’s assurance that it is the priority of the INDIA bloc to restore statehood to J&K?
Statehood is important for all of us. This has been promised to us. This state has witnessed bad days and we hope full powers will be restored to it. For that, we stand together with the INDIA bloc.
Will there be a common minimum programme?
Our common programme is to fight the elections to defeat the divisive forces that exist in the country.
What about an alliance with the PDP?
Let us first go through the polls, then we will look into those things. No doors are closed for anybody.
What do you want the Modi government to do?
Trained militants are coming from Pakistan to create disruption here. An atmosphere based on terror is being created. If it continues, a time will come when India will not be able to tolerate it. So it (terrorism) should end. The government of India should take steps to stop terrorism, instead of indulging in bravado. While we want peace between the two countries and pray for cordial relations, Pakistan should realise that sponsoring terrorism will lead to nowhere. Hostility and enmity between nations will only hinder progress. Real development will take place when there is peace and stability.
Of late, you have advocated better relations with Pakistan and your critics have picked on this ….
Is this the first time I am saying this? I have been saying this for years and the PM himself, on record, has stated that the era of war is over and the only way forward is through peace and negotiations, So, why is Farooq Abdullah being blamed now?
I have always said that terrorism is not going to end unless there is an understanding between the two nations (India and Pakistan). Terrorism will continue and we will have to face it. The tragedy is that innocent people are getting killed... and that is unfortunate. More innocent people would lose their lives unless we wake up and find a solution to this.
We (in Kashmir) are the ones facing the brunt. Innocent people of the state are facing tragedies and a reflection of this happens in the rest of the country.
You have also got into trouble by countering Rajnath Singh’s
remark, ‘PoK will be merged with India’.
If the defence minister is saying it, then go ahead and do it. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs and, unfortunately, the bomb is aimed at us.
Do you support the demand for including Punjabi in the education curriculum in J&K?
We strongly support the demand. We will raise this issue in Parliament. Five languages – Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, and English – are recognised. Many people speak Punjabi. It should not be overlooked.