National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah on Sunday said J&K’s Special Status was being disrespected and that the extension of central acts and programs to the State without ratification and approval by the State’s Legislative Assembly was an alarming trend. Addressing party workers at Bonhama, Iskanderpora, Chek Kawoosa and Sozieth areas during an extensive tour of Beerwah constituency, the National Conference Working President said Mehbooba Mufti’s involvement in sustained efforts to undermine Article 370 and the State’s special status was extremely condemnable and unfortunate.
“The PDP-BJP Government impetuously extended NFSA to J&K knowing that the Central Act would rob hundreds and thousands of our people of their right to basic quantities of ration. Despite public outrage and resentment the PDP-BJP Government continues to exhibit insensitivity and ruthlessness towards our people. Rather than passing an Act in the State Legislature that could have been suitably altered to safeguard the rights of our people, the PDP-BJP Alliance was used to extend NFSA to J&K as a step towards the larger goal of undermining the State’s remaining autonomy and rendering its own institutions and constitution irrelevant”, the NC Working President said while addressing party workers.
The NC Working President also questioned the PDP-BJP Government’s and Chief Minister’s intentions and seriousness in opposing the extension of NEET to J&K and said this was gross injustice with our students and also dealt another blow to the State’s autonomous character. “Education falls in the State List and not the Concurrent List and our Special Status further highlights that distinction viz-a-viz Jammu and Kashmir. As part of a fixed math with its alliance partner, PDP allowed the extension of NEET into J&K and mounted a half-hearted, half-baked and completely inadequate legal opposition in the Supreme Court. The fact that the State’s appeal wasn’t considered and upheld is to be blamed on the State Government and its casual approach in defending the State’s political status and the rights of our students”, the NC Working President added.
“The same Mehbooba Mufti who promised that she would get AFSPA revoked, the power projects returned and get New Delhi to engage with the separatist leadership is today leaving no stone unturned to act as an agent of constitutional erosion in Jammu and Kashmir. Her Government is acting as a facilitator for BJP’s long-cherished dream of diluting and undermining Article 370 and the State’s special status. National Conference has fought against the detractors of Article 370 and such Torjan Horses since 1953 and we will continue to fight against these vested interests. PDP finds its political roots and origins in the treachery of 1953 and its present servitude to BJP is a manifestation of the same ulterior motives”, Omar Abdullah further said.
Omar Abdullah addressed workers’ conventions and meetings at Bonhama, Iskanderpora, Chek Kawoosa and Sozieth and also inaugurated the Sozieth Premier League 2016 at Narbal. He also inaugurated a new gym at Chek Kawoosa. The National Conference Working President and MLA Beerwah also reviewed the status of various ongoing works in his Beerwah constituency and interacted with various public delegations to take note of their grievances and suggestions. The NC Working President was accompanied by NC Chief Spokesperson and MLA Budgam Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Former Minister and Senior NC Leader Aga Mehmood, Senior NC Leader Aga Mohsin, NC Leader and Political Secretary to Working President Tanvir Sadiq, NC leader Professor Abdul Majeed Mattoo, Block Presidents for Beerwah, Khag and Narbal blocks besides various party workers and activists. (KNS)