Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: A serene morning stroll in Srinagar’s famed Tulip Garden unexpectedly spiraled into a full-blown political controversy, drawing sharp reactions and clarifications from key figures in Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju found himself at the center of a brewing storm after his chance encounter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah during what he described as a casual morning walk. The meeting, which took place amidst the vibrant blooms of one of Kashmir’s most picturesque landmarks, has since ignited a heated debate, with political rivals seizing the opportunity to escalate tensions.
The controversy erupted when photographs of the trio surfaced, prompting speculation about the nature of their interaction. Seeking to quell the rising tide of criticism, Rijiju took to his X handle to clarify that the encounter was purely coincidental. “A beautiful morning walk became a political discussion, echoed even in J&K Assembly too!” he wrote. “I briefly came across CM, Omar Abdullah sahab and Farooq Abdullah sahab at the Tulip Garden on an early morning visit to avoid inconvenience for the visitors & tourists at daytime. We exchanged pleasantries! Let’s enjoy the beauty of Kashmir beyond politics!” The Union Minister emphasized that his early visit was intended to avoid disrupting the usual influx of daytime tourists, underscoring the informal and unplanned nature of the meeting.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah corroborated Rijiju’s account, reinforcing that their meeting was a matter of happenstance rather than a premeditated political rendezvous. Reflecting on the incident, Omar noted that he and his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, had visited the Tulip Garden that morning, unaware that Rijiju would also be there. “It was purely a coincidence,” Omar stated, aligning his narrative with the Union Minister’s and attempting to steer the conversation back to the beauty of the moment rather than its political undertones. |
