The arrival of National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah in Kashmir has given a much needed psychological fillip to the chief minister Omar Abdullah who had been isolated the past one week, with even his own partymen and alliance partner Congress maintaining a safe distance. Abdullah senior who reached India last night from London, headed straight to North Block on Saturday and held a meeting with home minister P Chidambaram before he left for Kashmir.
According to the ministry sources, Farooq discussed the prevailing situation in Kashmir with Chidambaram and explained the steps being taken by the state government to tide over the situation. The meeting took place at a time when the Centre has put security agencies on a high alert in view of intelligence reports that Pakistan-based militants were preparing to attack the pilgrims bound for Amarnath Yatra. “As the attention of the security forces is concentrated on the prevailing unrest in the Valley, militants may try to take advantage of the situation. So, we have asked everyone to be on high alert,” a Ministry official said.
Significantly, Farooq has landed at a time when rumours were afloat in political circles about serious differences between the father and son. Although he was said to have gone to London to look after his ailing wife, his absence gave an handle to Omar’s detractors, both inside the National Conference and outside, to settle scores with him for his alleged “arrogance and lack of contact” with the party leaders and rank and file.
On their part, the National Conference sources said, “Too much is being read into his London visit.”
Omar’s main ally, the Congress has backed his government in handling the situation in Kashmir. “It’s a tough situation and the coalition government is doing whatever it can to bring normalcy there. This state of turmoil obviously impacts governance,” party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.
