Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 4: Slamming BJP for redefining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing elections to Urban Local Bodies, Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana today said the unopposed passage of candidates from increasing number of civic wards in the Valley is unheard of in a democratic polity.
“The democracy appears to by the BJP, of the BJP and for the BJP”, Rana said while welcoming youngsters in National Conference Students Union at a function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon.
He said the election process is bewildering for the political analysts as such a scenario had never ever been witnessed in the State. He said the political rigidity of the BJP has made mockery of these elections.
Taking jibe at the BJP for describing unopposed victory of several of its candidates as historic, the Provincial President observed that it will be interesting to watch winners operating on ground zero from police lines and other secured places carved out for them.
Rana also dwelt upon a volley of subjects, the state subject laws in particular, and said that any attempt of diluting the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh will be fought by the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions with full might. He said the people of the State will always remain indebted to the Maharaja for showing immense degree of vision in safeguarding their interests, rights and the special entity.
The Provincial President came down heavily on the BJP for its orchestrated campaign against National Conference for opposing the clandestine moves of repealing Article 35A, which is a constitutional guarantee to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for preserving their distinct identity and dignity, irrespective of religion or caste.
He said any such move will be detrimental to overall interests of the State in general and the people of Jammu in particular. He said a growing consciousness is dawning upon the people of Jammu with regard to their rights and the likely subjugation they might suffer in the event of state subject laws dispensed with.
Rana said that voices in favour of Article 35A can be anything but not-anti national, as it forms important ingredient of the Constitution of India. In fact, this Article endorses the wisdom of the Maharaja and his far-sight which is reflected in the presidential order of 1954.
During the event, organized by Iftikar Ahmed Choudhary President Student Wing Jammu Province. Senior leaders Abdul Gani Malik, Rattan Lal Gupta and Dr Chaman Lal Gupta also addressed and welcomed the new entrants.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included senior leaders and former legislators Brij Mohan Sharma Vice President Jammu Province and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Provincial Secretary.
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