Shangus (Anantnag), Sept 30:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday acknowledged the difficulties of working in the current environment but reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fulfilling the promises made to the people. He assured that development projects across Jammu and Kashmir will continue without interruption despite the challenges faced. Addressing a public function, the Chief Minister emphasised that the government remains dedicated to delivering on its assurances. “The work already started will be doubled, no matter how difficult the situation has been,” he added, pointing out that almost every part of the region has suffered losses recently, yet developmental initiatives have persisted. CM Omar said, “Sitting outside, everyone believes working is easy. I tell some of my colleagues to come and sit in my chair for ten days, just ten days, and on the eleventh day if you do not end up pulling your hair out, change my name.” The Chief minister stressed the importance of recognising progress alongside raising demands for more. “It is not wrong to talk about people’s welfare. But along with demanding more, there should also be acknowledgment of what has already been achieved. If we don’t mention it, who will? After all, this government is made of the people, we are their representatives, and whatever we do is for them,” he said in response to questions about his apparent anger during his speech. “Sometimes listening to speeches raises my blood pressure. It is my habit that when my blood pressure rises, either I confront the one causing it or I remain silent. But now, because the one causing it is our own, it is better to stay silent,” he added. Recalling recent efforts, the CM mentioned arranging government trucks at the fruit mandi in a colleague’s area to prevent growers’ produce from being sold at throwaway prices. “My government arranged government trucks so that boxes of fruit could be transported outside at lower costs. Yet the impression given is that nothing happened,” he said. On the issue of inherited financial liabilities and delayed contractor payments, CM Omar noted, “Thousands of crores in liabilities were not created by us, but we never used that as an excuse. Quietly, we tried to resolve them.” He attributed delays in JalJeevan Mission projects largely to an assembly committee inquiry rather than government inaction. “If the MLA wants difficulties to end, let the committee submit its report. You cannot praise officers in public meetings and then target them in closed rooms. Politics of double-speak will not work,” he said. He said his government gave assurances to the people and those promises will be fulfilled. “The work already started will be doubled, no matter how difficult the situation has been,” he said. The chief minister added that almost every part of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered loss in recent times, yet the government has continued developmental initiatives. Speaking on post-election government formation, CM Omar recalled that unlike previous governments, he chose not to include the BJP despite opportunities to do so. “I could have included the BJP in government like late Mufti Sayeed and later Mehbooba Mufti did in 2016. Back then, a government could have been formed without the BJP. Both National Conference and Congress were ready to be part of the PDP government, and Jammu was promised its due share. We made a government without BJP and ensured Jammu gets its share with a deputy CM, cabinet ministers from PirPanchal, and representation from Jammu lower belt,” he said. He added that while it might have been easier to secure statehood by including the BJP, he was unwilling to compromise. “If restoring statehood requires me to take BJP into government, then kindly accept my resignation. If statehood comes later, we will wait. If work gets done with seventy -paise instead of a rupee, I will accept it, but only by working honestly,” he asserted. The chief minister urged MLAs to be brave in facing forces that want destruction and humiliation in Jammu and Kashmir. “People ask why I do not lead agitations on the streets. My answer is go and see the situation in Ladakh. I am not ready for that. We will fight democratically, peacefully, and within constitutional means. I will not bring destruction into people’s homes,” he said. On the abrogation of Article 370, Omar said even those who celebrated it in 2019 now admit it caused damage. “The same people who burst crackers and distributed sweets are today saying 370 actually protected them. We have always maintained that what happened on 5 August 2019 was wrong. We only demand that the promises made to us be honoured, the people’s mandate respected, and sacrifices acknowledged. Otherwise, democracy itself will be endangered in Kashmir,” CM Omar said. He also said that those giving opinions from Delhi wrongly believe that Kashmir is Delhi and that hindrances will push people to the BJP. “People may choose not to vote but will never vote to give BJP power here. I am still hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir will regain statehood. It is not about me, not about my home, not about NC; it is about the entire region. I believe in ‘Allah kegharmein der hai, andhernahi’ and we will get our rights,” he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister inaugurated fifteen water supply schemes in Anantnag district. “These are not empty claims. Clean and filtered drinking water is reaching homes. The remaining schemes will also be completed. Whether in education, health, housing, industry, tourism, social welfare, or tribal affairs, our work will continue,” CM Omar said. He assured people that his government will stand by its commitments. “Have faith. We will live up to the expectations and fulfil the promises made. Doing this work is our responsibility,” CM Omar said.