The elections for legislative council members are over. Massive voter turnout defined the elections. It is held to be around 90%. The results are out and the National Conference-Congress combine has won with a resounding victory. This is a victory for the political process instituted in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was only a few years ago that the institutional superstructure of the state had crumbled and it was believed that restoring this would amount to be an impossible Sisyphean endeavour. However, the polls essentially a culmination and reflection of restoring the institutional fabric and apparatus of the state suggest the contrary. The political process in Kashmir is vibrant and robust. Who should the credit be given for this stupendous achievement?
On a philosophical note, it is the historical forces set in motion by the late Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah that are panning out in the state. History is validating that the decisions that the late Sher-e-Kashmir took were right. However, if the whole saga is looked at and analyzed objectively and if the success of this all attributed to an individual, it is Omar Abdullah who can be credited with injecting dynamism and sobriety into the political process in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah, has against all odds and steep challenges seen Kashmir through the worst of times and is guiding it to the best of times. Some may call this ironical and a curious twist of fate. This, however, is plain wrong. The dynamic politician is meant to lead Kashmir out of its morass and lead it into greatness. This almost has the air of historical inevitability to it. Omar Abdullah, being the grand- son of the great Sheikh Abdullah, is heir to a legacy that is not only great but also righteous.
The man is highly intelligent, sensitive, sophisticated, generous and kind. There is apparently no flaw that can be discerned in his character. He is, to use common parlance, ‘Mr. Clean’. This is recognized and appreciated by the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. If there is anything people hold against him, it is that he is too clean, too honest and too good for politics. The common refrain is that politics is a dirty business and people like Omar cannot be really part of it. But this is fallacious and flawed thinking. It is precisely people like Omar we need. At a helm of the affairs, this is recognized by people and that is why they responded to him with such warmth and affection.
We need Omar precisely because politics in the state needs to be galvanized and catalyzed by people like Mr. Omar Abdullah who are inherently heroic. By heroic the reference is to the nature of the man- a person who is not ordinary and average; a person who is incorruptible and a person who feels and cares deeply for his people. This is precisely what Omar Abdullah is. These attributes make Omar the perfect person for leading the state and its people. This state needs to be cleaned; its politics given a new direction and impetus and the lives of its people qualitatively transformed.
It is only Omar, by the grace of God, who can do this. He has been placed at the top by the very forces of history and people, to repeat this, recognize and appreciate this.
Omar’s hard work and charisma was eloquently visible during the campaigning and the voter turnout corroborates this. The LC elections have just proven and validated this. The man worked hard, connected to people and people just loved it. This love and affection will be reciprocated by Omar. Omar has a vision for the state and its people. He needs our support and affection. Let us in due measure give it to him and then see how Omar works his magic. The Midas touch will touch every nook and corner of our society and the Naya Kashmir- the vision that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah- had in mind for Kashmir will become real. Let’s stand by him for our better tomorrow.

(Tanvir Sadiq is the spokesman of the J&K National Conference, can be reached at tanvirm123@yahoo.com)

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST