Flags voter list deletions as ‘serious threat’, dismisses EVM rigging claims
Inaugurates ₹90.65 crore housing project for employees in Pampore
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of indirectly aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, alleging that the party was now raising the Urdu language issue to divert attention from its role.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating 368 residential quarters for government employees at Sempora in Pampore, CM Omar rejected claims that his government was planning to drop Urdu from official use.
“There is no truth in the claims about dropping Urdu. No order has been issued. The file is still on my table and I have not approved anything,” he said, adding that the proposal had only been put in the public domain for feedback.
Challenging critics, the Chief Minister said no official notification exists regarding the removal of Urdu. He accused sections of spreading misinformation to create unnecessary controversy.
On electoral issues, Abdullah said he does not subscribe to the view that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are manipulated before polling, but expressed concern over what he termed as post-process irregularities.
“The bigger concern today is deletion of voters from electoral rolls. That is a serious threat to democracy,” he said.
Referring to ongoing elections elsewhere in the country, he also cast doubt on the reliability of exit polls, saying past experiences have shown that their predictions often do not match final results.
The Chief Minister Omar also touched upon rising inflation, attributing it to increasing fuel prices and global conflicts. He said the government had little choice but to revise transport fares.
“When oil prices rise, everything is impacted. The situation will improve only when global tensions ease,” he said.
Earlier, Abdullah inaugurated a housing complex comprising 368 residential quarters built at a cost of ₹90.65 crore at Sempora. The project includes 23 blocks with 2BHK and 3BHK flats, along with facilities such as a canteen and mess.
Officials said the project is aimed at addressing accommodation shortages faced by government employees, particularly those posted away from their home districts.
Highlighting employee welfare, Abdullah said improved residential infrastructure would enhance efficiency and morale among government staff.
