“Reservation file was sent 3 weeks ago, but nobody told CM sahib”

Srinagar, May 17 (KNO): Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday took a sharp dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his handling of the reservation issue.

Referring to photographs from the CM’s meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, Lone, in a post on X, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the CM was seen “grinning from ear to ear like an overexcited marathoner” while handing over a bouquet, “ostensibly congratulating the BJP for its recent electoral showing.”

“Optics matter, and the people of J&K are watching,” Lone said.

According to Lone, the Chief Minister raised the issue of delay in clearance of the reservation file during the meeting. He was, however, informed that the file had already been dispatched by the Centre three weeks ago. “It seems nobody in his office thought it necessary to tell him,” Lone remarked.

The PC chief added that the Centre has once again sought details on how the Sub-Committee arrived at its recommendations on reservation. “The fundamental question remains: What was the methodology? Where is the data?” he asked.

Lone said he had raised the same concern in the Assembly, asserting that “there is no evidence of research” behind the recommendations. “They should have been backed by scientific evidence, by rigorous study, by data that can withstand scrutiny,” he said.

Lone termed the government’s approach “casual” on sensitive issues—(KNO)