Describing BJP an essentially ‘pisive and communal platform’, State Secretary CPI (M), and contesting candidate for Kulgam constituency Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Sunday cautioned electorate of J&K and urged them to defeat such forces for maintaining geographical unity and communal harmony in the state.Tarigami was addressing a rally in Kulgam town today where his supporters exhibited tremendous enthusiasm and shouted slogans eulogizing him for his concrete efforts regarding the development in entire Kulgam district. The CPI (M) candidate asserted that the major issue in the present elections is harmonious and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions in the state.
“As such, the voters should judge the performance of each party and each contesting candidate and should cast their votes accordingly,” he said and highlighted the multi faceted development in Kulgam and said that it is for everybody to see and judge.Tarigami, however, said that a lot needs to be done for the development of infrastructure, provision of employment, regular power and drinking water supply. He promised that he will continue his relentless efforts and will develop Kulgam as a model district.Criticizing the National Conference, Tarigami claimed that this party has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people and it has not been sincere as far as restoration of autonomy to the state is concerned. “This became evident when NC joined hands with BJP at the centre and sacrificed autonomy for the ministerial berth. They did not even launch a strong protest when the autonomy resolution was rejected by the BJP government lead by Atal Behari Vajpayee,” he added.
Tarigami did not spare PDP and its patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and posed a question to Mufti asking him to explain what Kashmir was friendly in the policies formulated and actions taken by Vajpayee as the prime Minister of India. He recalled that it was Vajpayee, who in 1952 played a vital role in launching a movement against the special status and autonomy of J&K.“It was again he and his colleagues who did not even study the resolution in favour of autonomy adopted by J&K State Legislature and rejected summarily. This act of Vajpayee and BJP was an outright humiliation for the people of Kashmir. It is un-understandable how the planks of autonomy and self rule by NC and PDP respectively can materialize; it is evident that these are mere slogans and a part of election propaganda,” he said.
The CPI (M) candidate reiterated his party’s stand to restore complete internal autonomy and special status of J&K as it was in 1952. He expressed his dismay for not declaring the recent Kashmir floods as a national disaster and promised that he and his party will struggle for complete construction and rehabilitation of the flood affected.Expressing his concern on human rights violations, Tarigami said that the justice system is very weak and added that it will be the priority of his party to ensure that those involved in rights violations should be punished without delay. He reiterated his demand for withdrawal of AFSPA, PSA and release of all those political and other detunes who are not involved in serious crimes.