Amid Kashmir clashes, Omar Abdullah assures Mehbooba Mufti of support

Srinagar: Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah today said his party was ready to contribute towards maintaining peace in Kashmir but Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should take the lead to show the way instead of "hiding" behind spokesperson and police officers as they were not elected by the people.

"Dear @MehboobaMufti We in @JKNC_ are always ready to contribute towards maintaining peace but you must take the lead & show the way," Omar said in a series of tweets.

The former chief minister was responding to the appeal by the PDP-BJP coalition government to all stakeholders including mainstream and separatist groups to help in government's efforts for restoring normalcy in the state.

"More than anyone else I know what you're going through @MehboobaMufti & I can assure you that we will follow your lead but lead YOU must," Omar said apparently referring to his own experience as Chief Minister of the state during the 2010 summer agitation in the valley that left nearly 120 people dead.

The National Conference leader, however, suggested that the Chief Minister should take responsibility for the prevailing situation and lead the recovery process from the front.

"This is the time to lead from the front. You must accept the responsibility both for letting things get to this point as for the recovery.

"Please don't take the easy option of hiding behind your spokesperson & your police officers.

"No one elected them, the people elected you," he added.

Omar said National Conference as an opposition party will not be irresponsible.

"The @JKNC_ will never be an irresponsible party & opposing you will never mean setting the state on fire for narrow political ends," he said.