Our silence is not our weakness: CM

Srinagar, Jul 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday emphasised that resilience, not rhetoric, was what defined his government. He asserted that his silence on the obstacles encountered must not be mistaken for weakness, while reiterating that the government draws its power from the people who voted for it.

“Do not mistake our silence for weakness, we are not weak,” the CM said. He said the government faced “problems” on multiple fronts and that “some people were under the impression that “ if we are not shouting and threatening, we must be weak. “The people of J&K have made us strong and we will protect this strength of people, not trade it for anything,” he said. Omar said he did not complain for eight months and bore “everything” with silence, without complaining.  “If the unfortunate incident had not happened yesterday, you would not have known the reality in which we operate,” he said while referring to his scaling of a fence to reach Martyrs Graveyard on July 14, while he was stopped by police. “We had not called for it, but some people wanted to show us how they can make our work difficult,” he said.

The CM said the elected government has five years to work and present its report card in front of people. “After the five years are over, I say it with confidence that people will vote for us after they see our performance,” he said.

While talking about Srinagar city, the CM said he wondered how the funds meant for works here had been spent. Just after “an hour of rain” Srinagar roads are submerged in water, he said. “I have directed the Housing and Urban Development (HUDD) Department to identify how water logging can be addressed and submit a detailed proposal for that,” he said. The CM was speaking at the inauguration of the new block of Bone and Joint Hospital. He said the people of Srinagar will have their MLAs delivering the same quantum and quality of work that the people have voted them for. He directed Minister of Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, to ensure hospital building approved in future follow the same design and pattern as the new B&J Hospital building.