Tracing the genesis of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir to the inception of National Conference, Provincial President Mr. Devender Singh Rana on Sunday deplored the brazenness of those crying hoarse over the supremacy of people’s will whose hands are soaked with the murder of democracy in the State.“Who trampled the massive mandate of people in 1984 by hatching conspiracy during the darkness of night in New Delhi ”, Mr Rana asked while addressing a public meetings at Loran and Gali Pindi in Poonch this afternoon.
Terming Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as murderer of democracy, the Provincial President referred to his machinations to weaken Jammu and Kashmir’s strong political fort in league with his mentors in New Delhi. “He did not stop there but continued his tirade against National Conference in different garbs and guises after changing colours like chameleon. His role as Janata Dal government’s Home Minister in early nineties and later as founder of the People’s Democratic Party is not hidden from the people”, he said and lamented over Mufti’s political opportunism for lust of power.
Mr Rana gave credit to Mufti Sayeed for mastering in deceit and deception and referred to his classic drama in 2002 while staking claim for leading the government despite PDP emerging third after National Conference and Congress. “He wore the mantle of Chief Ministership as per the story-line scripted by PDP’s mentors in New Delhi”, he said adding that National Conference preferred to sit in the Opposition despite having 28 MLAs, as it does not consider power as an ultimate destination.
The Provincial President referred to the discomfort of PDP after losing the power and said that in a vein bid to grab it by hook or crook it started hobnobbing with its hidden allies in open during the recent elections to Legislative Council under Panchayat Raj quota. Notwithstanding desperate attempts to hoodwink the electorate by playing regional card in Kashmir and communal card in Jammu, courtesy Bharatya Janata Party, the PDP failed miserably and after losing the elections it started crying rigging. “How can PDP mislead the people both in the Kashmir and Jammu regions after getting exposed for hobnobbing with BJP in seeking support for its proxy candidate during the Council elections”, he asked.
Mr Rana pointed to the issue of presumptive rigging taken up by Mufti Sayeed in next elections with the Prime Minister in New Delhi and described it as admission of losing the battle before it actually starts. “Mufti Sayeed has seen the writing on wall, which reflects in the frustration and desperation of his party leaders during their public meetings”, he maintained.
Referring to the historic role of his party in the political orientation of the State, Mr Rana said that history stands testimony to the fact that National Conference never compromised its principles for the sake of power but stood firm when it came to defending the interests of the people and the party.
“It was with this greater objective of serving the people and enhancing their quality of life and to steer the State to peace and progress, National Conference entered into alliance with Congress in 2008 under the stewardship of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah”, Mr Rana said adding that the single mindedness and clear vision of the Chief Minister has resulted in total transformation on all fronts in the past four and half years.
He referred to the progress registered in various sectors of development and said that the biggest achievement of the present dispensation has been to restore peace, herald normalcy and to instill sense of confidence among the people. “The record tourist arrival in the past three years and the current boom vindicates our resolve that if there is sincerity of purpose nothing is unachievable”, Mr Rana maintained.
The Provincial President said that National Conference believes in healthy politics and expects fair-play by others in the political arena rather than intrigue and deceit. He cautioned his party workers against the machinations of those piding the people in the name of caste, creed, colour and religion and urged them not to get swayed by provocations. Those believing in negative politics, he said, are destined to fall. He reiterated that his party will fight disruptive forces tooth and nail and not allow vested interests to play with the sentiments of the people.
On his party’s alliance with Congress, Mr Rana said that the two parties shared common principles of secularism, democracy and the supremacy of people’s will. “This spirit is to be demonstrated at every level”, he said hoping that the Congress workers will also reciprocate the sincerity in equal measure. He asserted his party’s commitment to uphold the Coalition Dharma, notwithstanding misgivings being created by myopic politicians at certain levels.The Provincial President exhorted his party cadre to gear up further for intensifying their mass contact drive with avowed objective of solving people’s problems. He also asked them to work for steering the National Conference to great victory in the general elections scheduled to be held next year.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Aijaz Jan, MLA expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for being liberal while funding various developmental projects in the backward area like Poonch district. He said that the developmental strategy has gained momentum during the past four and half years and said this odyssey will continue.
Referring to his critics, Mr Jan said that the more they will raise fingers over his performance, more will his resolve fortify to serve his people, who have suffered immensely during the past over two decades due to the disturbed conditions.He said people of Poonch overwhelmed is sincere effort of the Chief Minister in getting the ambitious Mugal Road through which has transformed social economic landscape of this area and demanded road connectivity between Loran and Tangmarg.
Former minister and senior leader, Peer Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari while addressing the gathering highlighted the distinct role played by National Conference for ameliorating the lot of people living in remote and far-off areas. He spelled out the measures taken with regard to the upliftment of weaker sections, particularly Pahari speaking people and said that several revolutionary measures have been initiating to empower these sections and ensure their specific role in decision making.
MLC Ms Shehnaz Ganai reiterated her party’s commitment towards development of remote pockets of the state and empowerment of women. She traced the grand role of the party in public service and referred to the contribution of Madr-e-Mehbran in ameliorating the lot of weaker sections, particularly the women of the State.
She dwelt in detail on the history of National Conference and the historic role of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and said the cadre of her generation will continue to draw inspiration from his tireless public service that will help built Naya Jammu and Kashmir of his dreams.
Those present on the occasion included Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, former minister Babu Ram Paul, former legislators Thakur Kashmiria Singh and Mr Brij Mohan Sharma, senior leaders Mr Gurdeep Singh Sasan., Mr Abdul Ahad Comrade, Mr Abdul Ahad Bhat, Peer Inayat Bukhari, Mr Ghulam Abass, Ch Abdul Gani, Mr Bagh Hussain Rathore and Mr Mohinder Pyasa, Mohinder Singh Talwar, Baby Pardhan, Haji Mohd Akram and others.