Omar Abdullah defends his tweeting habit

SRINAGAR, JAMMU KASHMIR: "It doesn't take you much time to type 170 characters on your phone," that's how Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah justifies his habit of doling out views through micro-blogging website Twitter.

At a press conference here Monday, Omar was asked how he managed to find time between governance and the virtual world.

"I do not claim that having 23,000 followers is a big number, but still I believe it is an important audience," he said.

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He also made it clear that running the government was the first in his priority list, and everything else came later.

The country's youngest chief minister at 41, Omar is pretty regular at posting his feelings, pictures and views on Twitter.

He has at times also addressed people's problems through the website.

Last year, a student living in Srinagar had complained of electricity failure during exam time. Omar promptly ensured restoration of power in the area.

Hardline senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani had recently taken exception to Omar's comment on Twitter in which he said he would no more make Geelani a hero.

Omar appealed Geelani not to inconvenience people by calling for strikes to protest against the chief minister's comment.

"He is a senior leader and I appeal to him not to inconvenience the people by calling for strikes. The two of us can agree to disagree," Omar told reporters.