Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah said today had National Conference been in power, it would have hold Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir to restore democracy at the grass root level. He also supported the demand for creation of Additional DC’s post, which has been raised by the people of Sunderbani, Nowshera and Kalakote.
In a brief chat with media persons and address to the Youth National Conference convention in Rajouri, Dr Abdullah said Anantnag Parliamentary poll was not postponed by the Government for the fear of “low turnout” or “violence” but fearing “imminent defeat” of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s brother, Tassaduq Mufti, who was pitted against joint NC-Congress candidate GA Mir.
“In every elections, there is some impact of boycott call. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t hold the elections. We would have hold Panchayat elections to give powers at grass-root level, which would lead to development of the rural areas,” Dr Abdullah said.
Asserting that situation was “worse” in Kashmir as well as the borders, the National Conference president said the war between India and Pakistan was no solution and suggested that the two countries should open channel of dialogue to resolve their issues.
Replying to a question on the agitation going on in Nowshera, Sunderbani and Kalakote for the post of Additional DC, Farooq wondered why the Government was allowing agitation to go on as it should immediately sanction the posts, which will help the local people.
Reiterating his call for engaging Pakistan in meaningful talks Farooq said peace will remain elusive until the two neighbours sit together and work towards ending their differences in an amicable atmosphere.
“Wars are no solution; wars cause only destruction”, he said.
He said he will continue to vouch for dialogue between India and Pakistan, as he believes this to be the only way forward in heralding lasting peace in the region. He added that he won’t be deterred by dubbing him as anti-national for speaking the truth, which is to have a meaningful peace process with Pakistan. He said the beneficiaries of the peace in the wake of friendly relations between the two countries would be people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have decided their future seven decades ago.
Invoking Atal Behari Vajpayee, the National Conference President acknowledged with deep appreciation the sincere efforts made by him in reaching out to Islamabad, first by bus to Lahore and then by holding Agra Summit, saying the then statesman Prime Minister had reassured the neighbouring nation on their soil that India accepts reality of Pakistan.
He said Vajpayeeji’s initiatives were pleasant breathers in otherwise choked environment and recalled his now famous adage that friends can be changed but not the neighbours, which he (Vajpayee) had stated during his public meeting at Tanghdar in Kashmir.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi should emulate the spirit of Vajpayeeji, who too belonged to his party, and start a new era of trust and friendship in the region”, Dr Abdullah said, adding the two nations will have to realize, sooner or later, that nothing but talks hold key to ending hostilities.
“Let you carry forward the mission of Vajpayeeji”, Dr Abdullah exhorted the Prime Minister and exuded confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would serve and emerge as a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan.
The NC President dwelt upon a volley of subjects and expressed concern over vicious political environment across the country, describing division of people on the basis of religion for votes as dangerous. He observed that votes should be sought on the plank of nation building, development, upliftment of poor and not by exploiting religion.
“In this grim scenario, the youth have to play a crucial role by negating and isolating all such forces which hoodwink them by generating fear about religion being in danger”, he added.
Expressing dismay over functioning of the PDP-BJP Government in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Abdullah referred to nepotism and favouritism in the process of selection to various posts and said the scenario is so dismal that a civil servant of this dispensation has sought filing of FIR over filling up of several slots. Apparently referring to alleged backdoor appointments in KVIB, he said the confidence of meritorious youth have shattered, which call for course-correction.
Dr Abdullah said the present dispensation was working against the interests of the State and warned PDP not to barter the self-esteem of the people for few loaves of power.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana decried politics of hate and urged the youth to fight the divisive forces by strengthening the bonds of amity and brotherhood.
“Today, we are being asked to prove our identities and these questions are being raised by those who believe in obeisance at Nagpur as credential of nationalism”, Rana said and added that India belonged to all, irrespective of religion or cast. He said disruptive forces were doing a disservice to this great nation by sowing seeds of hatred.
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