Kolkata/Srinagar Sep 16: Ruling out any intervention in the Valley from his side, the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee Rahul Gandhi Thursday came out strongly in support of Omar Abdullah saying Kashmir is a tough job and the state's youngest Chief Minister, under fire for his handling of the crisis, needed more time., “Kashmir is not a part-time problem, it is a full time job”, he told media persons, here at the end of his three-day visit to West Bengal. “Kashmir is a tough and sensitive job and we have to give Omar time,” he said.
Abdullah had skipped Wednesday’s all-party meeting in New Delhi where leaders of all major political parties failed to reach a consensus on the army’s role in the state and decided to send a delegation there to assess the situation.
Gandhi's backing of Abdullah came at a time when the Congress leadership in the Centre is worried about his handling of the situation in Kashmir. The main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party had asked for Abdullah's resignation during the all-party meet.
“The government has supported Omar Abdullah. He is the elected leader of National Conference,” Gandhi said.
 “NC is the party in state (Jammu and Kashmir). We support them. Omar is a youngster and Kashmir is a difficult place....Omar is doing a tough job.”
Abdullah – on the backfoot over governance issues – said he was grateful for Gandhi’s backing. “But I am not saying anything. Whatever, I have to say I will say to Rahul personally,” he said.
'I am grateful to Rahul Gandhi for his support. I will thank him personally,' Abdullah said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST