As traders in Jammu demand for a bandh to protest the inauguration of Reliance retail stores, a nearly ten-year-old tweet from former chief minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah has reappeared online.
Omar, who is active on social media, has gone viral in several groups after making a statement regarding the opening of Jammu and Kashmir’s first and only Wal-Mart Best Price Now Flip-kart Best Price store in the outskirts of Jammu.
“Off to inaugurate the first Jammu #bestprice whole sale store opened by #bharti #walmart,” reads Omar’s tweet. As per CT, the tweet was originally sent on November 9, 2011, when Omar Abdullah was the chief minister of state and had opened a Wal-Mart store against trader federations’ resistance.
The whole discussion started after the National Conference backed the Jammu Bandh, which was called by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu to protest the administration’s anti-trade and anti-commerce policies.
Omar Abdullah’s position on supporting Wal-Mart stores while condemning reliance stores has been questioned on social media.
Omar’s old tweet has been retweeted. “Interesting,” Manu Khajurua, founder of Voice of Dogras, tweeted. Walmart was satisfactory. “Reliance is not for #Jammu,” says the author.
Omar should erase the old tweet as quickly as possible, according to another user.
“What a knucklehead you are,” Megha Sharma writes. Walnut may have carried the bags, but he lacks the ability to soar. That is the distinction.”
“Walmart is fine,” Aashish added. Company from another country. It is not acceptable to rely on others. Because it’s an Indian company.”
“Was Jammu bandh on this day?” writes VR Pandita. Was there a call from any group at the time? Isn’t this wall mart having an impact on the local economy?
“For those who don’t know, the Walton family (owners of Walmart) are Pakki Takki state subject holders from Jammu. As a result, they could open a massive store in Jammu during Article 370 without causing a stir, according to a satire by Jammuey Da Raja.
“Delete it ASAP it might get viral,” wrote Vishesh Koul in response to the original tweets.
In 2011, Jammu and Kashmir received a Wal-Mart store, which was launched by then-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who regarded it as a milestone development, saying, “Jammu and Kashmir is now on the Walmart map of the world,” adding, “J&K is ahead of Delhi, which has yet to get on such a store.”
However, due to concerns from local shopkeepers, Jammu’s Wal-mart has been limited to wholesale operations only.
The Chenab Times News Desk