Handwara, Oct 30:Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday described senior party leader Chaudhry Mohammad Ramzan’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha as a recognition of his decades-long loyalty and dedicated service to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering in Handwara, Omar said the decision to send Ramzan to the Upper House was based on merit, commitment, and seniority.
“There are many capable people in our party, but Chaudhry Mohammad Ramzan was chosen because of his capability, seniority, close relationship with the people, and unshakable loyalty to the National Conference,” Omar said. “Whether he wins or loses an election, he has always stood with the people and the party.”
The Chief Minister noted that Handwara constituency was among the areas most affected by the recent delimitation, which he said cut nearly 20,000 votes from Ramzan’s traditional strongholds.
“Even after such a major cut, he lost by only 600 votes,” Omar said. “If just 300 more votes had been in his favor, he would have been the MLA, perhaps even a minister in my government.”
Omar said the nomination was not only a tribute to Ramzan’s perseverance and humility but also a message to party workers that the NC values loyalty and consistency.
Highlighting the NC’s tradition of sending strong voices from Jammu and Kashmir to Delhi, Omar remarked that from Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Dr. Farooq Abdullah and now himself, the party has always ensured that J&K’s concerns are raised at the highest level.
“We have always sent our best people to Delhi to represent our state, but some of them got affected by Delhi’s pollution and lost touch with their roots,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the newly elected three Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir would continue the legacy of representing the people with honesty and conviction.
Reiterating the NC’s commitment to fulfill its election promises, Omar said the government is focused on substance over slogans.
“We are a promise-making party, and we will fulfill every promise we made to the people,” he said.
Omar also emphasised youth empowerment, education, and collective responsibility among party workers.
“We take tough and timely decisions because we are responsible to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We do not shy away from challenges; we face them with resolve,” he added
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