National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said the State cannot be expected to remain engulfed in political uncertainty and that PDP and BJP should either form a Government or the Central Government should dissolve the State Assembly and hold fresh elections in J&K. Addressing party workers on the First Death Anniversary of Veteran NC leader and Former General Secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said National Conference was fully prepared for new elections and the people of the State deserved a chance to elected a popular government. “If PDP and BJP cannot offer the State a Government despite continuing to be in an alliance, the Assembly should be dissolved without any further delay, providing the people with a chance to elect a new, popular Government. National Conference will neither interfere into the internal dealings of the PDP-BJP alliance and nor will our party bail either of them out from this current situation. They promised the people of J&K good governance and development and their first year in power has exposed their failure to perform the most basic duties of a Government. They have deceived the people of Jammu and Kashmir and continue to be in an alliance for their own, partisan interests”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said while addressing party workers in Srinagar.
Paying glowing tributes to Veteran NC Leader and Former General Secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said Sheikh Nazir Ahmed was the epitome of statesmanship, courage and conviction. “Nazir Sahab has served this party with his heart and soul and he never expected anything from the party in return. He was concerned about the party and the people of our State till his last breath. He lived his life in a simple and transparent manner and died as a man of principles. He never compromised on his ideology and dreamt of a prosperous, peaceful and stronger Jammu and Kashmir. The biggest tribute to Nazir Sahab would be to uphold his love for his people and strive for the honour and dignity of our State and our people”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said.“There is no alternative to Indo-Pak peace. Kashmiris have the most to benefit from peace and dialogue between the two countries. Nothing has ever come out of violence and nothing will come out of violence in the future. J&K has suffered immensely due to hostility between India and Pakistan and the time has come when both countries realize the ramifications of their animosity and bridge their trust deficit. People from various regions of the State on either side of the divide share a common culture, language and heritage and we should afford them with the freedom to visit each other’s lands and share common values and dreams”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah added.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah lashed out at communal forces who are trying to polarize the country for their own interests and said J&K acceded to the idea of a secular and inclusive India and it would be problematic for this relationship if the country goes down the path of polarization and isolation. “Those trying to polarize people on the basis of religion are the biggest enemies of this country. They want to fragment the country for their own interests. We should ensure their nefarious designs are defeated”, the NC President further stated.Dr. Farooq Abdullah congratulated Party General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar and NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani besides various other Senior Party Leaders for the successful completion of the Party’s Membership Drive and said no stone should be left unturned to strengthen the party. (KNS)