Nothing in budget for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

National Conference vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday claimed that there is nothing in the Union Budget for Jammu and Kashmir, terming it as a “Coalition bachao Budget” with focus on Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Abdullah said he thinks this is the first time that “coalition compulsions” are visible in the third term of the BJP-led NDA government.

“If you look specifically at Jammu and Kashmir, there’s nothing in this Budget. Considering the scale of problems that we face, we have among the highest levels of unemployment in the country; development wise, we have gone backwards.

“Investment was promised but we don’t see it on the ground anywhere. Today, people are screaming for water and electricity, so the sum total of our problems in Jammu and Kashmir has increased. The commitment from the government of India is absent,” he told PTI Videos.

As far as holistic all-India view is concerned, the NC leader said it has become very apparent that this is a coalition government and not a BJP government.

He added that perhaps due to “coalition compulsions”, the share that other states should have rightfully got has gone to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

“The legitimate share of other states is being denied to them so that two states can get money and the prime minister can continue to lead this coalition. It is nothing but a ‘coalition bachao Budget’,” he said.