Describing ensuing elections as clash of ideologies and battle between secular and communal forces, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday exuded confidence about the victory at the strength of his party’s commitment to public service and time tested secular credentials. “This is an opportunity for people to make a discernible choice between communal and secular forces” he said while addressing the party functionaries including sitting and former legislators from the Jammu pision at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon, adding that these will be also endorsement of the people to polices, programmes and performance of the government during over past five years”.
Omar Abdullah said that National Conference rank and file has been pressed into election gear across the State, with workers stepping up their mass contact campaign”, he said, adding that the performance of his government has been inspiring and innovative, especially with respect to empowering people through Panchayat Raj Institutions, taking governance at grass roots level and making administration accountable and responsive by introducing Right to Information and Public Services Guarantee legislations. Therefore, he maintained that each vote would be endorsement of the people friendly and progressive programmes and initiatives undertaken by his government for the inclusive development and implementation of welfare schemes in all the three regions during more than five years.
The NC Working President said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have all along fought the communal, deceptive and disruptive elements and will do so in future as well. He said his party is committed to strengthen secular forces by isolating pisive and communal elements, who were posing a big threat to peace and harmony across the country. “We won’t allow them to vitiate the atmosphere by generating ill-will between communities for furthering their nefarious political agenda”, he declared.Spelling out the crucial role played by National Conference during most testing times in the history, Mr Omar Abdullah recalled the sacrifices offered by its towering leaders and committed workers in upholding the special entity of the State and dignity of its people. He described workers as real strength of the party and hoped they will carry forward the mission chartered by Sher-e-Kashmir to make Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous, peaceful and forward looking State. He made a mention of path breaking decisions taken in this regard by successive NC governments and the present dispensation and assured that this odyssey will continue with renewed vigour and confidence.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana assured the high command that party rank and file is fully prepared to take the ensuing democratic exercise to its logical conclusion.“While being confident about registering massive win in Jammu and Kashmir, the party is looking forward to ensure that the victory comes with a big margin”, he said while eulogizing the performance of the government under the towering stewardship of Mr Omar Abdullah. He said the report card of Omar led coalition government has been enviable and the performance in various sectors of development appreciable. “This momentum has to be maintained to assuage the urges and aspirations of the people in all the three regions and their sub-regions”, he maintained.Various speakers assured the Chief Minister that they will go all out to ensure the victory of all the six candidates contesting the parliamentary elections.
Those who addressed the meeting included senior party leaders, Minister for Planning and Development Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, MLAs Mr Surjeet Singh Slathia, Kr Rachpal Singh and Mr Aijaz Jan besides Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari, Mr Abdul Gani Malik, Mr Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, Mr Ajayshatru Singh, Choudhry Talib Hussain and Mirza Abdul Rasheed.The meeting discussed election related issues and took several decisions to gear up the party at all the levels.Present in the meeting were the legislators Dr. Shenaz Ganai and Bimla Luthra besides Rattan Lal Gupta, Th. Kashmira Singh Babu Ram Pal, Brij Mohan Sharma, Mrs. Vijay Lakshmi Dutta, Jugal Mahajan, Gurdeep Singh Sassan, Surinder Singh Bunty, District Presidents, District Secretaries, contested candidates and senior functionaries of various wings of National Conference.