Defends Govt move to arm VDCs
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 15: National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir must take place as the Lieutenant Governor’s administration cannot resolve the issues of the people.
Speaking to reporters in Baramulla, Dr Abdullah also said the elections lead to the formation of people’s Government.
“Elections must take place. Elections lead to the formation of people’s Government and resolve their issues. An LG cannot do that,” he said.
He said that NC will also attend Monday’s meeting called by the Election Commission of India to demonstrate a prototype to enable remote voting for migrant workers and students.
“Let them invite. Our party will also go. We will listen to what they have to say, we will also say what we have to,” he said.
Asked about VDC members in Rajouri being provided weapons to fight militants, Farooq defended the move, saying the militancy has to be fought.
“It is not something new and weapons were given in our time as well. The militancy has to be fought,” he said.
To a question that if Sonia Gandhi would be on stage when the Bharat Jodo yatra reaches here and would the issue of the restoration of Article 370 be taken up, Abdullah retorted “you care a lot about (Article) 370”.
He said the yatra was for removing the hatred between communities across the country.
“What is the yatra for? It is for removing the hatred between religious communities, that we all – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists — live together is what the yatra is working for. That is for what he (Rahul Gandhi) has come out,” he said.
He said that it is a matter of happiness that Rahul Gandhi has come out on these issues.
“Yesterday, a Muslim was beaten till he did not utter what he was asked. These issues are a challenge and it is a matter of happiness that Rahul has come on roads for that,” he said.
On the deadline given by the administration to those who occupy Government land, the NC president said deadlines come and go. “It is not a huge thing”.
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