National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday presided over the party’s Working Committee Meet at his residence in Srinagar. The Working Committee Meet was also attended by NC Working President Omar Abdullah, NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar and other senior leaders who are members of the Working Committee including Special Invitees to the committee.The Working Committee of the Party discussed various organizational aspects and also deliberated on the current political scenario prevalent in the State. Members of the Working Committee raised issues of public concern and put forth their observations and suggestions to consolidate the party’s strength at the grassroots level in all three regions of the State. Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah discussed these observations and suggestions with the Working Committee members and said the party would incorporate valid suggestions that would help in strengthening the party.
The Party General Secretary read out a condolence message on behalf of the Working Committee and the Working Committee observed a two-minute silence in memory of all former Working Committee members as well as the family members of party colleagues who have passed away in the interim.Dr. Abdullah highlighted the need to defeat divisive forces who are inimical to the interests of the country in general and the State of Jammu and Kashmir in particular and said recent incidents of intolerance are of grave concern to the party and the people of the State. National Conference President reiterated the party’s commitment to uphold the ideals of pluralism and secularism and protecting the rights and liberties of people in all three regions of the State. Dr. Abdullah reiterated the demand for restoration of Autonomy is forms the non-negotiable core of the party’s political agenda. Dr. Farooq highlighted the need for peace between India and Pakistan and said mutual cooperation and peaceful co-existence between the two neighbours was imperative to the goals of development and prosperity in the sub-continent. The Party President said the integrity of the State was non-negotiable and said the party would defeat all sinister designs to create fissures between the regions of the State.
NC Working President Omar Abdullah discussed various organizational aspects and suggestions put forth by the members of the Working Committee and reiterated the party’s efforts to not only streamline the organizational functioning of the party but also consolidate its grassroots presence in all the three regions of the State.Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction at the party’s revitalization in Leh and Kargil and also reiterated the party’s vision to strengthen the minority, women’s and youth wings of the party and also increase the party’s connect with various sections of the society.The NC Working President condemned how the Prime Minister snubbed an elected Chief Minister during his Public Meeting in Srinagar when the Prime Minister said he did not require anyone’s advice on the Kashmir issue after the Chief Minister’s speech. The NC Working President said this was indicative of the systematic erosion of the institution of the Chief Minister under the present, incumbent Chief Minister and how despite his unending praise of the RSS and BJP – the Chief Minister stands discredited and snubbed by his own ally.The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference reiterated the party’s goals of protecting the interests and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed their unflinching faith in the party leadership’s vision of upholding the dignity and integrity of the State.The Working Committee unanimously adopted the following SIX resolutions:
Resolution 1:
“The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference reiterates its commitment to upholding the pluralistic and secular ethos of the State and protecting the rights and liberties of people living in all the three regions of the State. National Conference expresses concern over recent incidents of intolerance and radicalism and concerted efforts to polarize the State on communal and regional lines. The party expressed alarm over recent incidents of intolerance in general and those of Udhampur, J&K, Dadri – Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka in particular and said such incidents hurt the secular fabric of the country and were aimed to disrupt communal harmony and amity. Jammu and Kashmir has demonstrated its commitment to the values of tolerance and religious harmony and the people of the State will never allow vested interests to sow seeds of discord and animosity. The State’s legacy of pluralism and secularism has enabled it to face serious challenged in the past and steer the State out of difficult circumstances. However, the vested interests of the Central Government and the State Government in dividing the people on the basis of region and religion threaten these long-affirmed values and ideals. The Working Committee resolves the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be united in defeating all such nefarious designs and divisive forces.”
Resolution 2:
“The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference reiterates the restoration of the State’s Autonomy forms the bedrock of the party’s political agenda. The party is committed to upholding the political dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While the party passed the Autonomy Resolution with two-thirds majority in 2000, we will continue to struggle for this goal in the future with vigour and sincerity of purpose. While the party has put forth the restoration of Autonomy as a viable and credible solution to the political issue, the party welcomes those alternative methods of resolution that would be acceptable to the people of the State and would address their political aspirations”.
Resolution 3:
“The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference is of the considered opinion that the Kashmir Issue has both internal as well as external dimensions – which need to be addressed for sustained peace in the region and within the State. To address the external dimensions, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference unanimously resolves the demand for restoration of a sustained and comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan without any further delay. Efforts should be undertaken to increase the level of confidence between the two countries in order to initiate a process to resolve all outstanding issues including the Kashmir Issue which has been a source of confrontation and hostility in the sub-continent. To address the internal dimensions, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference resolves the demand for the opening of dialogue by the Central Government with all internal stakeholders including the Separatist Leadership. Any proposed resolution of the Kashmir Issue shall be to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.”
Resolution 4:
“The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference firmly resolves its commitment to the integrity and unity of the State and shall continue to strive to protect the secular, pluralistic and democratic ethos of the State. The party shall fight all those divisive forces that are hell-bent to divide the State and its people on the basis of region and religion. It is unanimously resolved that the vested interests and nefarious designs of all such forces shall be defeated by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Resolution 5:
“The issue of Kashmir is a political issue that has foxed many great minds over generations and no single individual can claim to be bestowed by the acumen to resolve this issue single-handedly.The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference takes serious note of the arrogance displayed by the Honorable Prime Minister during his Public Meeting in Srinagar wherein he said that he did not require anyone’s advice on the Kashmir Issue, thereby snubbing an elected Chief Minister.At the same time we place on record our dismay at the systematic erosion of the institution of Chief Minister under the current, incumbent Chief Minister.”
Resolution 6:
“The Working Committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference places on record its deep disappointment with the way the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims has been handled. The Honorable Prime Minister of India had promised all support to the flood victims based on which the NC-Congress Government of the day projected a realistic demand of Rs. 44,000 crores as a comprehensive Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Package. International agencies have termed the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir floods as the most economically devastating natural disaster of 2014 in the entire world. In light of this, the paltry relief released by the Government of India is tantamount to rubbing salt in the gaping wounds of the flood victims.” (KNS)