Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU July 30: Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today declared that National Conference will spring a big surprise in 2014 Assembly elections by registering a significant victory in the Jammu region, as elsewhere in the State, thus proving predictors of doom wrong.
“We will emerge as a strong force and a predominant player in Jammu as well under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah”, he said adding that it will be a repeat of 1996.
Replying to questions by media persons, soon after the joining of a prominent leader of PoK Refugees Rajiv Chuni, along with a large number of his supporters in National Conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here, he said that his party will prove the political pundits wrong by maintaining its supremacy in the Jammu province as well.
“In 2008, National Conference bagged six Assembly seats and finished close second in nine constituencies despite vicious atmosphere created by BJP and PDP over Amarnath land row”, he said adding that in the coming elections “we will bounce back at the strength of public support”. He said his party will field committed and dedicated candidates who enjoy mass base and support of the people due to their unflinching determination and contribution in public service.
On being asked about alliance with Congress, Mr Rana said that decision in this regard will be taken by the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah with the Congress High Command. He said whatever the decision; the National Conference cadre will carry forward it with a sense of commitment as a disciplined party. He, however, added that the National Conference is preparing for the elections in a big way and referred to the enthusiasm among the cadre and people towards the party he witnessed during extensive tour of the region.
To a question about the problems confronted to PoK refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971, Mr Rana asserted that his party has already espoused their genuine cause at the highest political and executive level in the country.
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has vehemently advocated a mega package for the PoK refugees and sought the indulgence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi as also during his visit to Srinagar recently, for arriving at an expeditious decision, as these people have immensely suffered over the years”, Mr Rana said adding that National Conference will not rest till their demands are met.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Chuni said that rehabilitation of displaced people is a human problem which needs to be tackled with humane approach. He regretted that a parliamentary panel headed by BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu has ignored the real representatives of PoK refugees and instead invited its party activists to a meeting currently being held in the national capital to discuss the problems of refugees.
He said the PoK refugees comprise the displaced people of Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Poonch who are genuine state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir. He said his organization will continue to work for preserving the socio-cultural and linguistic identity of the PoK refugees, who are struggling for their rightful cause since the past 65 years.
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