Omar criticises Centre over delay of flood relief package in J-K

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised the Centre over the alleged delay in providing a flood relief package to the affected people in the state.

Addressing a rally in his constituency, Beerwah, Omar demanded the granting of the proposed Rs 44,000 crore relief package for the floods that had devastated the state in 2014. He also stated that since Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor's rule after the recent assembly elections threw up a fractured verdict, the Central government should expedite the aid.

The former chief minister also lashed out at the People's Democratic Party, accusing them of 'playing politics' after the floods in September.

"Rather than rising up to the occasion, the PDP played politics over the floods by asking for immediate early elections to mitigate the sufferings of the flood-victims only. However, now the PDP says it is in no hurry to give people of this state a government," he said.

The J-K elections threw up a hung verdict, with the PDP emerging as the single-largest party in with 28 seats. The BJP won 25 seats, with the National Conference and Congress winning 15 and 12 seats respectively.