I never questioned accession of J&K to India: Omar

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he had never questioned the accession of the state to the Union of India.

"I have never said accession of Jammu and Kashmir to rest of India is not permanent. In my speech in the state Assembly in October Last year, I only pointed out the difference between accession and merger," Omar said.

Omar during a passionate speech in the Assembly at the peak of summer unrest had said the problem in Jammu and Kashmir was unique and needed a political solution.

He also said that while other princely states had merged in India at the time of partition, Jammu and Kashmir had only acceded and not merged with the Union.

Omar was responding to a question about the recent war of words between National Conference leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal and senior Congress leader Makhan Lal Fotedar on the issue of accession.

Fotedar had apparently criticised Omar for his remarks saying the Chief Minister was not even born when his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had accepted the accession.

Asked if relations with alliance partner Congress were strained, the Chief Minister replied in the negative saying ties between the two parties are very strong. "In fact, this has been the smoothest functioning coalition government in the state. There is not a single issue on which we have not been able to resolve differences within the cabinet," he said.

Responding to another question, Omar said the local Congress leaders cannot criticise his government as they hold key portfolios.

"If they point fingers at this government, they will be blaming themselves as well," he added.