Yogesh Sagotra
Jammu Tawi, Sept 22 (KNO): As Jammu observed bandh on traders' call to protest against opening of Reliance retail stores, almost a 10-year-old tweet of former chief minister and National Conference Vice president Omar Abdullah resurfaced online.
Omar, who is quite active on social media, is now going viral in different groups where people are taking dig at his statement where he talks about inauguration of Jammu and Kashmir's first and only Wal-Mart Best Price Now Flipkart Best Price) store in Jammu outskirts.
“Off to inaugurate the first Jammu #bestprice wholesale store opened by #bharti #walmart,” reads Omar's tweet. However, the tweet was originally shared on 9th of November 2011, when Omar Abdullah was chief minister of state and he had inaugurated Wal-mart's store despite opposition of trader federations.
The whole debate started after National Conference extended support to the Jammu Bandh called by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu against anti-trade and commerce moves of the administration.
Social media users questioned Omar Abdullah's stand on supporting of Wal-Mart store and opposing reliance stores.
Rewetting Omar's old tweet Manu Khajurua, Founder Voice of Dogras tweets said, “Interesting. Walmart was ok. Reliance not for #Jammu.”
Another user advised Omar to delete the old tweet as soon as possible.
Megha Sharma writes “What a joker you are. Walnut might have been the bags but reliance doesn't give flying to him. That's the difference”
Aashish said “Walmart is Ok. Foreign company. Reliance is not Ok. Because of an Indian company”.
VR Pandita writes, “Was Jammu Bandh on this day? Did any organization gave a call at that time? Didn't this Wallmart affected the local business??
“For those who don't know, Walton's Family (owner of Walmart) belongs to Pakki Takki of Jammu and were state subject holders. Therefore, they could open a huge store during article 370 in Jammu without any uproar, a satire made by a parody account named as Jammuey Da Raja.
Vishesh Koul replied to the original tweets, writing, “Delete it ASAP it might get viral”.
Pertinently Jammu got a Wal-mart store in 2011, inaugurated by then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who described it as landmark development as said that “Jammu and Kashmir is now on the Walmart map of the world” adding “J&K is ahead of Delhi, which is yet to get on such a store”.
However, due to protests from local traders Jammu's Wal-mart was confined to wholesale activity on membership based only.
