Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can play a decisive role in ending the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing his good relations with all countries.
Speaking to reporters outside the Legislative Assembly, CM Omar Abdullah as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said the Prime Minister is uniquely positioned to mediate given India’s diplomatic ties with all stakeholders in West Asia.
“The role that the Prime Minister can play in this is something that no one else can play because he has good relations with all these countries,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Abdullah also criticised US President Donald Trump over his approach to the issue. “If Trump does such a foolish thing, knowing that no one has ruled Iran for decades, it will not be that easy,” he said.
He called for an immediate end to the hostilities. “Whatever is happening should be ended here itself. A ceasefire should be declared and this war should end,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Pakistan was leveraging its own ties with Iran and the US. “Pakistan is taking advantage of its good relations with Iran and America. Now they have taken it. How can we object? We want the war to stop,” he said.
CM Omar Abdullah expressed hope that the opposition would emerge victorious in the upcoming assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, though he said the final mandate rests with the people.
Polls are scheduled in West Bengal (April 23 and 29), Tamil Nadu (April 23), Assam (April 9), Kerala (April 9) and Puducherry (April 9). Results will be declared on May 4.
“Our BJP colleagues from Jammu and Kashmir are travelling to other states for campaigning, while we are sitting here. What should happen and what will happen – we will see,” he said when asked about the likely electoral outcome.
Highlighting the prevalence of alliance politics, he pointed to the BJP’s tie-up with the Asom Gana Parishad in Assam, and the rival coalitions involving the BJP-AIADMK, DMK-Congress and Left fronts in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
“We would want the opposition to win all five elections, including Puducherry, though the final decision rests with the people,” he added.
Earlier, CM Omar Abdullah defended the government’s handling of private members’ bills in the Assembly and opposed a bill seeking to allow indiscriminate felling of walnut trees, saying it could severely impact the region’s economy and identity. (KNS)
