Jammu, Apr 16: Ruling National Conference has advised the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and Bhartiya Janta Party to revisit history to realize the contributions and sacrifices of the ruling party for upholding and strengthening the democratic institutions in the state.
 In a statement, issued here, the NC Spokesman and MLA Sajad Ahmed Kichloo said that the party kept the democracy alive in the state when all other political forces had surrendered. “It was the National Conference workers and leaders who faced the brunt on the ground and sacrificed their lives and properties only for the cause of democracy, brotherhood, peace and development”, he said adding the party revived the hopes and trust of the people on the democratic institutions through good governance, transparency and accountability.
 Asking the opposition parties to desist from practice of ` criticism for the sake of criticism’, Kichloo said that history is testimony of the fact that NC visualized, created, strengthened and upheld the democratic institutions in the state for the development and prosperity of the general masses. “The leaders of opposition parties should revisit history to realize the contributions of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, Dr Farooq Abdullah and other NC stalwarts”, he said adding, “The Chief Minister of the State Omar Abdullah has established himself as peoples’ leader in a short span of time through his visionary qualities and people friendly initiatives”.
 Asserting that holding of Panchayat elections in the state after a period of over 33 years was re-writing the history afresh, Kichloo said that the process is first step towards the cherished desire of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to establish an effective and meaningful Panchayat system in the State. “The founder of the National Conference was a farsighted person who was committed to safeguarding the pluralistic traditions and strengthening democracy and launched several path breaking initiatives to secure rapid all round development of the people of the State”, he said adding that the party is working on the same lines and guidelines provided by its Late leader and is committed for strengthening of the democracy at the gross root level.
  “The present government headed by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is realizing the dream of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, who had the target of empowerment of common man and holistic development of the State”, he said and added that the several initiatives including implementation of Right To Information (RTI) Act and Public Service Guarantee Act in a short span of time could have only been taken by a visionary leader like Omar Abdullah.
 Terming both PDP and BJP two sides of the same coin, Kichloo said that the people in the state were wise enough to reject the divisive forces and trouble makers and it was only due to this reason that PDP had to face defeat in 2008 elections. The PDP is known for the hollow slogans and building castle in airs but the practice has not helped the state even when the party was in power.
 He advised the opposition leaders not to resort to sloganeering and unwanted criticism and instead contribute in the development and prosperity of the state so as to benefit the general masses at the gross root level.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST