Describing intermix of religion with politics as dangerous for healthy growth of democracy, Provincial President National Conference Mr Devender Singh Rana on Sunday expressed apprehension that use of caste, creed and region by those in public life will ultimate culminate into hampering development of the State.Welcoming BJP leader Mr Rajinder Singh alias Kali and his associates into National Conference at a specially held function here this afternoon, Mr Rana hoped that ensuing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would witness healthy political discourse on development, social economic transformation and growth in various sectors.Mr Rajinder Kali has earlier contested the assembly elections from Nagrota Constituency in 2008 as an independent candidate and later joined the BJP. He wields substantial influence in the constituency.
“Undertaking development and sustaining peace has all along been main plank of National Conference”, Mr Rana said adding that the party will never deviate from this chartered agenda and shall continue to work for inclusive development for all. He said contenders in any election might be seeking mandate on the policies and programmes of the party they belong but once elected they represent all irrespective of who voted for him.Mr Rana said that opposition is essence of democracy provided it remains within the precincts of dececency and good human behaviour. “Once the red line is jumped, it paves the way for chaos and mistrust in the society”, he said and recalled the glorious tradition of National Conference which has set high standards of political ethics since its inception.
The Provincial President congratulated the new entrants and exhorted them to work for development and prosperity of Nagrota Assembly Constituency. “Being so close to the state capital and situated on the National Highway, this constituency should have been a real model of development and prosperity but it has not happened so far”, he said adding that efforts will have to be redoubled to transform the developmental landscape of the area in a big way. He said beginning in this regard has already been made and the day is not far when Nagrota will attain envious position in the developmental profile of the state.
He gave an overview of developmental activities initiated in recent years and said the constituency has substantially benefited by various welfare schemes. “The tempo of development will get further fillip in the ensuing years and every effort will be made to satiate the aspirations of the people of all the areas”, he maintained. Expressing his desire to work for strengthening National Conference across the constituency with a missionary spirit, Mr Rajinder Kali said he and his colleagues are impressed by the efforts made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in recent years to steer the state to peace and the path of development. “The challenges were enormous and his singlemindedness has enabled the state to overcome these with fortitude”, he added.
He assured the Provincial President that he will work like a foot solider and put in his best to strengthen National Conference at grass roots levels.Those present at the joining function included Haji Mohammad Hussain ex-MLC, Som Nath Khajuria, Sarpanch Aithem Balwant Singh, Sarpanch Pargalta Girdhari Lal, Sarpanch Kanna Chadgal Lower Din Mohammad, Abdul, Karan Singh, Krishan Singh, Parkash Singh, Sham Singh, Ab Waheed Qasana and others.National Conference leaders profusely garlanded Mr Kali and his associates.Later, the Provincial President also inaugurated a passenger shed at Jagta. (KNS)