Former MLC and senior leader of Peoples Democratic Party Firdous Tak on Sunday filed a review petition before party’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee to reconsider its decision about not to contest from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat in Jammu region.
“We have twoparliamentary segments in Jammu province and party has decided not to contestelections to support secular force. After the decision we held consultationswith civil society, youth organisations and other wings of party and acollective decision was taken to apprise party’s Political Affair Committee toreconsider decision on Udhampur seat,” Tak told reporters here.
Its in place to mention here that on Saturday former chiefminister Mehbooba Mufti had said that PDP won’t field any candidates for Jammuand Udhampur seats in a bid to prevent division of ‘secular votes’. “We havestrong reasons and logic to support our argument of reconsidering the decision.One of the reasons is that all the major political parties in Centre haveignored very big area of the constituency,” Tak said.
“Nearly 24 lakhpeople reside in six districts of Chenab Valley. Whether it’s BJP, Congress, orany other party, they have always ignored Chenab Valley,” he said.
“Every political party is indebted to Chenab Valley but people in far-flung areas still live in stoneage,” he said. “The sitting MP of BJP and also minister in highest office of the country only takes care of the interests of Udhampur and Kathua. He never visited Chenab. Whenever he comes from Delhi, he inaugurates projects in Jammu.
Our MP opposed divisional status for Chenab valley, so why should we vote for him again?’ he said. “Congress, which is seeking votes on secularism, is equally responsible for problems of Chenab belt, as it has represented the seat maximum times.” “PDP is democratic party and we are using our right to make the leadership aware about the ground situation.
We have submitted a review petition and are hopeful that party leadership will reconsider its decision and contest elections from Udhampur seat to give representation to 12 lakhs people of Chenab Valley,” Tak said.