Srinagar, Aug 15 (KNS): As the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti unfurled tricolour, took the salute and addressed people at the main Independence day function at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar, the entire opposition mainstream camp including National Conference and Congress were found missing at the main Independence day parade at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar.
Reacting to their party’s absence at the main Independence day parade at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar National Conference said the party was in mourning over the recent civilian deaths in street protests in difference parts in Kashmir and also upset over the failure of the government in restoring normalcy in restive parts of the state. However Congress said the leaders and workers of the party workers were free to attend the Independence day functions and as such there was no directive to the leaders and workers of the party to stay away from the Independence day functions.
When contacted senior National Conference leader and MLA Sonawari Mohd Akbar Lone told KNS “We were in mourning over about sixty civilian deaths reported so for.
We were upset over the government’s failures in restoration of peace and normalcy in restive Kashmir valley and troubled parts of Jammu region.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThere was no point for us to participate in the Independence Day functions in view of the continuing cycle of civilian deaths and the failures of the government in restoration of peace and normalcy in Kashmir valley and troubled parts of Jammu region”.
However Congress President G.A.Mir when contacted for comments over the absence of the leaders and workers of his party at Independence day function including the main function held at Bakshi Satdium Srinagar dispelled the impression about his party boycotting the Independence day functions in the state. He told KNS “ there was absolutely no directive to leaders and workers of the party to stay away from the Independence day functions. Some of the party leaders were invited but could not attend due to prevailing situation in Kashmir valley. MLA Shangus Gulzar Ahmed Bhat is our party man and he attended the Independence day function at Anantnag.I don’t know how many leaders of our party were invited and how many leaders were not invited as I am presently in Delhi”. (KNS)