Asserting that his government does not discriminate on the basis of region or religion in distributing relief to those affected by the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said such bias was “not our politics.” He added that it was, in fact, “the BJP that has kept nearly 15 per cent of the country’s population out of representation in the Centre.”

The Chief Minister said that there will be no discrimination on region or religion in the distribution of relief to those affected by the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in the Assembly, while replying to a question from a BJP legislator, Omar said that compensation to flood-affected families will be provided strictly as per damage assessment and not on any regional considerations, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to fairness and justice in relief distribution.

After the session, Omar told reporters that the BJP is harboring a wrong impression and is of the view that " we govern like them."

“We don’t decide on religion or region. They have kept nearly 15 per cent of the population out of representation in the Centre. Today, the BJP does not have a single Muslim member in the Lok Sabha. In the central government, they have not seen a single Muslim capable of becoming a minister. So, they should first look into their own, then they should point fingers at us,” Omar said

“As I said in the House, we will decide based on the loss, not on the area or religion. The area where the loss has occurred, more or less, will be asked for a package from the central government. As soon as the package is received, we will start distributing the money among the people,” he added.

Omar asserted that his National Conference is the only political party in Jammu and Kashmir directly challenging the BJP on the ground and dismissed allegations of any “secret understanding” with the saffron party during the recent Rajya Sabha polls.

“The only party that is taking the BJP head-on in Jammu and Kashmir is the National Conference. We are the ones who took them on in the Rajya Sabha elections. Nobody else did. Congress could have fielded a candidate but chose not to,” he said.

Referring to the ongoing electoral contest in Nagrota, Omar questioned the absence of other opposition parties. “Where is the PDP’s candidate in Nagrota? Congress, too, at the last minute, told us they would not fight. Then I had to scramble to find a candidate. We were ready to support the Congress in Nagrota, but they backed out,” he said.

Rejecting speculation of any covert deal with the BJP, the Chief Minister said, “These baseless claims that the National Conference has a secret understanding with the BJP are false. We are not those people who deceive others. If we have an understanding, we do it openly. I joined the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee openly, not in a closed room.”

He added that while he seeks cordial relations with the central government for administrative reasons, it should not be confused with a political alliance.

“There is no relationship between the National Conference and the BJP, and there will be none,” Omar said. “Yes, my attempt is that our relations with the central government remain good so that governance does not suffer — but that is a different matter.”

Omar alleged that the BJP made attempts to lure people in the recent Rajya Sabha election where saffron party was able to clinch one seat.

“Clearly, the BJP made attempts to lure people. On what basis they were lured, whether they were induced, or anything that only the BJP can answer,” he said.

On the delay in statehood restoration, Omar said that the longer it takes, his hopefulness will definitely decrease.

“I was hopeful from the first day. My hopefulness has come down a little. But it is still there. But the more this process continues, it is a natural thing; it is human nature. Hopefulness will definitely decrease; it will not increase. The more you make us wait, the less hopeful we will be. But it has only been a year; there is still hopefulness. It is good if it happens during this hopefulness,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that if there were no hurdles, there would be no reason to repeatedly demand statehood. “If there were no obstacles, am I crazy to ask for statehood?” he asked. “If it were as easy to work in a union Territory as in a state, then all states would say, make us UTs. But that is not the case.”

Omar said the elected government continues to face administrative limitations that highlight the absence of full state powers.

“There are many institutions that should have been under the control of the elected government, but are still not. How many examples can I give you? Two universities, the Cultural Academy, SKIMS, and the Power Development Corporation, these and many more should have been transferred after the elections, but that hasn’t happened,” he said.

Reiterating that such administrative gaps underscore the importance of restoring statehood, Omar said, “That’s why we are fighting, to get our statehood back, so that we have all these rights.”

On the issue of Business Rules, Omar said discussions with the Centre are ongoing. “Some talks have been held, one or two rounds. Some questions have been raised from their side. But we have told them that the Business Rules we have sent are entirely under the J&K Reorganisation Act. We have not tried to work behind it anywhere. They should be approved,” he said.

Reacting to criticism from within the party, Omar said he holds senior leader and MP Mian Altaf Ahmad in the highest regard and has already spoken to him about his recent remarks.

“I respect Mian Altaf very much; he is like a father figure to me. After reading his statement, I called him and he laughed, saying, ‘You must have read it.’ He only advised me to think before I speak, which is what my father tells me too,” Omar said.

He added that internal matters should be discussed privately, not through the media.

Taking a swipe at party MP Ruhullah Mehdi, Omar said, “Which people are you bringing on a platform? Where is Mian Altaf, and where is he? There is a difference between the earth and the sky.”