National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday flagged protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution besides grant of regional autonomy to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as main plank of his party while exuding confidence that it will form next government in the state on its own.
“Gear up for assembly elections”, Dr Farooq Abdullah toldenthusiastic National Conference workers and functionaries at a reception atSher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning, on his arrival after clean sweep ofthe party in all the three Lok Sabha seats it contested in just concludedelections.
He declared that National Conference is well poised toregister massive victory in all the three regions in the upcoming assemblyelections and assured that after formation of the government with absolutemajority, it will work towards fulfilling the regional aspirations of thepeople by grant of regional autonomy under the superintendence of the stategovernment. He said no section of the society should nurture a feeling ofdeprivation. This is in consonance with the policies and programmes of hisparty which has all along strived for equal opportunities to every segment ofthe society and all the three regions. He solicited the support of the peoplein this effort and emphasized the need for strengthening bonds between Hindus,Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists.
“Our agenda is to foster amity and bridge the gap betweenvarious sections of the society”, he said, adding that pluralistic ethos andinclusiveness is the greatest strength of the state. He also pledged that hisparty will work towards dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes andhearths in the Valley. He said restoration of peace is a pre-requisite, whichhas to be restored in the state.
Dr Farooq Abdullah said taking all the people along ispolitical philosophy of National Conference, adding that his party believes inhealthy political discourse. “We have to maintain and promote decency inpolitics”, he said and lauded the cadre for keeping away from reactionarypolitics. He stressed the need for strengthening the party, saying this willkeep the cadre in good stead to face challenges confronted to the state.
On the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, Dr Farooq Abdullahcongratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hoped that justice will be donewith the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said rights of the people are neededto be protected and a sense of security instilled among them. He said theCentre will have to walk an extra mile in reaching out to the people, expeditedevelopment, complete rail project to link Kashmir with railways on immediatebasis and lay emphasis on dependable road communication. He expressed concernover frequent road closures on the Srinagar Jammu highway and said this aspectis required to be taken care of for the sake of smooth mobility.
He said India belongs to all and this spirit has to bepromoted and strengthened at all costs.
Congratulating Dr Farooq Abdullah, Provincial PresidentDevender Singh Rana said this reinforces peoples’ immense faith in his and OmarAbdullah’s leadership.
“Dr Sahib is atowering leader, not only of the country but of the subcontinent as well, whosecontribution has been gigantic in improving the condition of the people andstrengthening bonds between different sections of the population”, he said.