NEW DELHI, INDIA: "I made the mistake of siding with them (BJP) once on the question of Gujarat. I did not resign when my conscience told me to. And my conscience has still not forgiven me. I'll not make the same mistake again," thundered Omar Abdullah, president of National Conference in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Abdullah's speech during the debate on the Confidence Motion moved by the UPA government caught the attention of the nation, as he spoke like a veteran parliamentarian.
However, not many were lucky to hear him in Parliament. The Opposition MPs, especially three from the BJP who accused the Samajwadi Party of attempting to bribe them to side with the government, frequently interrupted his speech.
But now, log on to YouTube and one can listen to Abdullah. He is enjoying much attention on YouTube, as is evident by more than 10,000 viewers watching the clips of his speech.
Incidentally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had to table his speech following interruptions, had
posted the text of his speech on his Web site.
Many viewers have left comments praising and condemning Abdullah. "Amazing just amazing...we should have more leaders like him...then India will be truly secular," said one.
Another viewer said: "Great speech!! Our country needs more dynamic educated and young leaders like Omar Abdullah. He supported (nuclear) deal for the development of the country and not for any personal interest."
A viewer, identified as Rupali Abhishek said: "I think the time has come for all the oldies of the politics to resign and give way to the next gen ppl like Omar, Rahul, Sachin."
However, another viewer who posted comment under the nick Kappu, is not impressed with Abdullah. "Such a liar," he said. "Why did not he resign then? Because he was minister... just another politician.. and what he has done for Kashmiri Hindus?
