Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said Ganderbal has once again created history by making Omar Abdullah leave the constituency even before a vote was cast."Ganderbal has in fact announced the result of entire state by making Omar Abdullah, head of the outgoing government, to run away from here in pursuit of a safe seat", she said, while addressing a road show in Ganderabal constituency.Mehbooba said in 2002 Ganderbal created a history by voting against Omar “that not only changed the political discourse on the ground but a new wave of development was created by the PDP which provided the people relief.”“After the historical verdict of Ganderbal in 2002 entire scenario got changed not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in the entire South Asian region which paved a way for the resolution of conflict by bringing India and Pakistan close to each other. A sort of a freedom was felt by everyone in the state with the defeat of Omar Abdullah at the hands of Qazi Mohammad Afzal in 2002,” she said and added Ganderbal has this time declared result of the state elections even before polling.
“It was only after 2002, the fear and insecurity on the ground was eliminated with the end of oppressive Ikhwan and STF era; the power sector was reformed and new development and economic agenda was started. Accountability, transparency was ensured in the system and sense of security was created,” Mehbooba said.The PDP president added externally the two armies which were otherwise in war mode left the aggression; tension on borders was reduced and cease fire was not only implemented but religiously followed; peace process was started both between New Delhi and Islamabad and New Delhi and Srinagar; borders were opened for travel and trade which provided sense of hope and relief to the people in the entire region. Mehbooba said the Ganderabal constituency makes history again and sets the trend for a thorough, complete and lasting change in Jammu and Kashmir. She said Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had to ‘run away’ from Ganderbal constituency after badly failing to address its issues, and what he will do to Sonwar and Beerwa now where he is seeking fresh mandate to the assembly.
The PDP President said the development process started by the PDP during its brief tenure in Ganderabal has been ‘abandoned by the Abdullah government and not a brick was laid in the area during past six years.’“Omar during election campaign in 2008 had promised the people of Ganderbal moon and stars while seeking votes. Didn’t he promise you that he will start recruitment in police for the youth; give jobs to even under matric; provide you cheap gas. Was not meter todo heater lagao his favourite slogan that time? What has happened to those promises?” she asked.Mehbooba said the PDP during its brief stint in the government took some major development initiatives in the area by establishing Degree College, Fisheries College, Mini Secretariat; water supply schemes, court complex, hospitals, schools and roads. Irrigation canals were first time upgraded, the power sector was overhauled and more job avenues were created first time in the area. “Ganderabal first time saw what a representative looks like and how it feels to have a common man representative of the people,” she said.
Mehbooba assured the people PDP will revive development process in Ganderbal started by it and abandoned by NC even though CM represented it.Referring to the nepotism in top-level appointments in the institutions like Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (J&K BOSE) and BOPEE, Mehbooba said the outgoing government which has already been convincingly rejected by the people in the Lok Sabha polls has virtually till the last day continued with their frauds. She said this government in the past too subverted, ruined institutions and made the future of our children bleak.The BOPEE scandal involving Mushtaq Peer has not just brought out the worst practices followed by the government institutions but it establishes beyond doubt the direct complicity of Omar Abdullah government in the scam, she said.
Mehbooba said the fate of Jammu and Kashmir is destined to change as the people have made up their mind to change the course of history under the banner of the PDP. “Given the prevailing mood on the ground it has become evident now that the people will participate overwhelmingly in the forthcoming assembly polls to ensure a responsible, honest system under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.The PDP Chief said the people of the state have had suffered immensely under the National Conference during last eight decades and its current tenure in coalition with the Congress will be more remembered for its brutality, inefficiency, corruption and mis-governance than anything good. “People want to dump the National Conference, Congress coalition which has got them nothing but miseries,” she added.Senior Party leader and candidate for Ganderbal constituency, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, Ghulam Rasool Shaheen and Abdul Waheed Dar were also present on the occasion.