Excelsior Correspondent
KHOUR, Dec 18: Former J&K Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today alleged that BJP was changing colours and stand on the issues like settlement of refugees, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Article 370 in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a large election rally at Khour in Chhamb constituency, represented by Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand today, the top AICC leader targeted BJP for changing colours in the State. He said the BJP leaders say some thing in Delhi, different in Jammu region and some thing else in Kashmir and Ladakh. They keep on changing their stand even on its core issues like Article 370 for which they exploited the people for the last over six decades. They even changed stand on the AFSPA and the issue of refugees. Despite promise during last Lok Sabha elections, they turned down the proposal of package sent to them by the State Government.
Accusing BJP of using its polarization card to garner public support, Mr Azad said that not only communal politics, but the development will lead to peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the BJP was sinking in Jammu after facing a rout in Kashmir during the recently held elections and now in the last ditch effort, the BJP leaders were trying to mislead the voters in Jammu by luring them with false promises and hollow slogans.
“BJP can never deliver. This party ignored the people of Kashmir, and are now exploiting the people of Jammu for their petty political interests. In Kashmir, they have a different tone and language and in Jammu, they have different. The statements made on Article 370, AFSPA and refugees are only political gimmicks,” Azad said.
Mr Azad said that the UPA Government wholeheartedly supported and funded the developmental projects in the State, including the National Highway and rail projects. “On my request as the Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir received a compensation of Rs 700 crore. and later, Prime Minister also promised Rs 791 crores,” Mr Azad added.
Seeking votes in favour of Congress candidate, Tara Chand, Azad reminded that by exploiting sentiments of the people after Amarnath land row, BJP managed to win 11 seats but party legislators miserably failed to come up to the expectations of the people. BJP MLAs back stabbed people of Jammu region by selling themselves in open market”, he told the people and asked, “whether you want to the repeat the same blunder which was committed in 2008 elections?”.
Cautioning people against parties like BJP, Azad said such parties emerge only at the time of elections and after the polling they will disappear from the scene.
Pointing towards hardship being faced by the border residents, Azad said that Congress is committed to minimize miseries of border residents. He said it was only during the regime of Congress that a comprehensive policy was formulated for the rehabilitation of border residents. It is Congress party which ensured cabinet decision for granting five marlas of plots for border residents at safer hamlets.
Earlier, addressing the gathering DyCM thanked the people who have gathered in such a large number despite chilly weather and further listed down his development works executed in his Assembly segment.
While criticizing the candidates of rival political parties, Tara Chand said that “a false propaganda has been initiated against him and his party by the rivals as they have no capacity and capability to tell the public about their vision and road map for Khour constituency. “I have worked day night for development of Khour and for the welfare of my people. About 46 High and Higher Secondary schools, three Tehsils including Pargwal, Kharrah and Khour, one sub-division, four CD Blocks, eight Niabats, one Degree College, one Sub-District Hospital, 10 Primary Health Centers, 50 cr worth Power Grid Station, eight Receiving Stations, is the hard work, which I have done for my area and people,” he added.
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