JAMMU APRIL 22 (KNS): National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today described the tie up with the INDIA bloc and said the seat sharing arrangement with the Congress for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir has been worked out to strengthen secular fabric of India by marginalizing and isolating the divisive forces.
“The tie up with the Congress is purely to keep the divisive forces at bay and in the larger interest of the nation, which is facing numerous challenges posed by elements inimical to the idea of India”. Sadhotra said while addressing a public meeting at Sarh Bagga in Mahore Constituency. Mr Sadhotra was accompanied by Mr Ram Pal Former Minister and President Centre Zone, Ch Mohd Shafi Advocate, Abdul Ghani Malik Former Minister and Zonal President, Babu Jagjivan Lal Ex-Minister and District President Reasi, on two days tour of Katra-Reasi and Mahore.
“Politics of divide and hate is detrimental to our unity and secular ethos and if not contained there is every apprehension of the country getting divided”, the National Conference Addl General Secretary said adding that the parties believing in inclusiveness have come together to meet this challenge. He said his party took a conscious decision of not fielding its candidates from Jammu and the Udhampur -Doda seats, to ensure huge drubbing of the BJP.
Mr Sadhotra cautioned people against BJP’s reactionary politics, saying this is against the ethos and idea of Jammu and Kashmir as also India. He condemned the machinations of undermining the secular traditions and belittling the great contribution of the successive Prime Ministers of India. He said that by resorting to such tactics, the BJP is trying to divert the attention of people from failures of its misrule. He took jibe at the BJP, asking where the promise about creation of two crore jobs annually and doubling the income of farmers evaporated. He said the prices have been witnessing alarming upward swing and the country is suffering on all fronts.
Castigating the BJP for polarising the situation and weakening the democracy, Mr Sadhotra reminded the people of the sacrifices made by National Conference for maintaining peace and tranquillity and strengthening democracy. He said many of its leaders and workers gave their lives for honour and dignity of the people.
Ram Pal Former Minister, President Central Zone exhorted the people to come forward in a big way on the day of polling and ensure the victory of the National Confidence backed Congress candidate with a huge margin. This will be win of the secular forces and defeat of polarising BJP. He asked the booth level workers to remain vigilant on the polling day and foil all attempts of influencing the elections.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Engineer Khursheed Ahmed Sr. leader NC Gulabgarh, Jahangir Mughal General Secretary JKNC SU, Mohd Riaz, Abdul Rashid and Wali Mohd of Maslot Block Thuru, Haji Abdul Latif of Chiral Sr. leader NC, Mohd Sadiq District Secretary, Ch Mohd Ashraf Sr leader, Ch Mohd Shafi, Nazir Ahmed, Shamasdin, Moulvi Mohd Maqbool and Mohd Asif Wani of Idgah Shajroo, Haji Ahmed Din, Haji Ab Rashid of Shajroo Kund, Chatter Singh Vice District.
Vice President, Harbans Lal District Secretary, Haji Abdul Rafiq Block President, Ab Hamid Block President, Mohd Yousuf Shah Block President, Ab Ghani Malik, Bashir Ahmed Malik, Qamardin, Nazir Ahmed Block President Shergarhi, Shamshad Begum Ex-Sarpanch, Tariq Bhat, Raj Kumar Sharma Block President Reasi and Anil Sharma Ex-Sarpanch Katra.(KNS)