National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that a secular party, having acceptance in all the three regions of the state, alone can ensure political stability in Jammu and Kashmir.“The 2014 verdict and the obtaining political stalemate in the state has proven beyond doubt that reactionary and divisive parties may manage temporary electoral gains by whipping up passions and polarising the situation but ultimately they cannot sustain the mandate, which is imperative for giving a sustainable government in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir”, Dr Abdullah said while welcoming Saraf Singh Nag, a former KAS officer, into National Conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here.Saraf Singh Nag, a former KAS officer, contested 2014 elections as an independent candidate from Reasi Assembly Constituency, bagged 20,600 votes and lost by a meager margin of 1,200 votes.
He has prematurely relinquished his government assignment.Referring to the ongoing political uncertainty, in the wake of fractured mandate, Dr Farooq Abdullah said National Conference alone can give a stable and people-friendly government in Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in view its presence in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. “The party will prove it whenever elections are held”, he said, adding that the coalition culture is not in the interests of the state. He said a strong, secular, forward looking and a vibrant party like National Conference can steer the state out of the mess created by divisive and opportunistic political entities
The former Chief Minister described National Conference as a movement which all along, during the past over seven decades, strived for maintaining regional unity and amity between various religions. “Despite turbulent political storms we did not dither from our chosen path, as we believe in public service and welfare of people irrespective of caste, creed, colour or region”, he said, adding that this uniqueness is a distinguished feature of National Conference.Dr Abdullah said National Conference is poised to regain its premier space in political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, notwithstanding the electoral setback of 2014, as its foundations are based on social justice, amity and brotherhood. He said the party believes in social justice and opportunities of progress and development to all.
Congratulating Saraf Singh Nag in the party fold, Dr Abdullah said the doors of National Conference are open for all those who believe in unity in diversity, single entity of Jammu and Kashmir and service to the people. He hoped the joining of public spirited people will further strengthen the party at grass root level and enable it to espouse the just cause of people, irrespective of their regional and religious affiliations.Pledging to carry forward the mission of Baba-e-Quom Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in length and breadth of the state, Saraf Singh Nag said that his odyssey for a right political destination has ended at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan as he believes National Conference as the only secular party that can assuage the aspirations of the people of all the three regions.
Nag said that he and his associates will strive for betterment of the state as foot soldiers of National Conference. “Ever since my contest in the Reasi Assembly Constituency, I had been yearning for joining a right party which I got today”, he said.
Earlier, addressing workers at a function organised by NC SC/OBC Cell, Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed the hope that they will come forward in a big way and participate in the elections to Urban Local Bodies and play their important role in decision making at the grass root level.Dr Abdullah enumerated the measures taken by National Conference from time to time for empowerment and economic emancipation of weaker sections of the society. (KNS)