Congratulating the people of Kashmir for coming out in large numbers to cast their votes yet again in the third phase of Assembly Elections, President National Conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said more and more people taking part in the democratic process to defeat the pisive agenda of certain parties is a clear indication of their reiteration of support for National Conference.In a statement to KNS, Dr. Farooq expressed happiness over the historic voter turnout across the State in the Assembly elections thus far and expressed hope that people will continue this trend in the coming election phases and repose faith in National Conference at a time when the political honor and dignity of Jammu and Kashmir is being threatened not only by BJP but the PDP as well.
“I am encouraged by the fact that a huge number of people have cast their votes in favor of National Conference candidates all across the State despite canards being spread by our detractors. The right to franchise is a democratic right of every inpidual, which could have never been possible without the efforts and sacrifices of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah,” Dr Farooq said. “Democracy in Kashmir was strengthened by the efforts of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and it because of the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs that people have achieved this right today and have reiterated their political wisdom and political inpiduality. At a time when all other political parties have converged against National Conference and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of the State have come out in large numbers to defeat these parties and give them a befitting response,” he added.
Dr Abdullah appealed the people in all three regions of the State to continue being a part of a wave of support in favor of National Conference candidates as the “party is the sole custodian of the political honor and interests of all three regions of the State.”Lashing out at BJP and PDP, he alleged, “These political parties are inimical to the special status and political dignity of J&K and their defeat after these historic elections will be the reiteration of the sacrifices rendered by the people of J&K for their political rights that have been upheld after unimaginable sacrifices. BJP and PDP don’t want Kashmiris to have a unified voice and tried their best to fragment their resolve. These political forces have always endeavored to foist political parties from every home in Kashmir to curb the genuine voice of the people, however the success of National Conference in these elections has defeated all such designs.”
“Those talking about safeguarding the rights of people of state and safeguarding Article 370 today, were the pioneers in eroding Article 370 and were instrumental in waging destructive machinations against this State from within. Article 370 is an issue of life and death for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is the foundation and basis of the relationship between the State and the rest of country and no power in the world can revoke it until National Conference continues to be at the forefront of our political struggle,” Dr. Farooq said.
Meanwhile, veteran NC leader Advocate Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, while addressing a meeting of party workers at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhavan, thanked the people of the State for reposing faith in National Conference in such large numbers and appealed them to continue this trend till pisive parties inimical to the State’s interests are uprooted from the State.