Jammu: Government of India will have to walk an extra mile in reaching out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Friday even as he flagged preservation of Article 35A and 370 of the Constitution besides grant of regional autonomy to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as main plank of his party.
“Gear up for assembly elections”, Farooq told enthusiastic party workers and functionaries at a reception at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here on his arrival after clean sweep by the party in all the three Lok Sabha seats it contested in just concluded elections.
He declared that National Conference is well poised to register massive victory in all the three regions in the upcoming assembly elections and assured that after formation of the government with absolute majority, it will work towards fulfilling the regional aspirations of the people by grant of regional autonomy under the superintendence of the state government. He said no section of the society should nurture a feeling of deprivation. “This is in consonance with the policies and programmes of our party which has all along strived for equal opportunities to every segment of the society and all the three regions.” He solicited the support of the people in 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 between various sections of the society”, he said, adding that pluralistic ethos and inclusiveness is the greatest strength of the state. He also pledged that his party will work towards dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes and hearths in the Valley. He said restoration of peace is a pre-requisite, which has to be restored back in the state.
Farooq said taking all the people along is political philosophy of National Conference and that the party believes in healthy political discourse. “We have to maintain and promote decency in politics”, he said and lauded the cadre for keeping away from reactionary politics. He stressed the need for strengthening the party, saying this will keep the cadre in good stead to face challenges confronted to the state.
On the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, Farooq congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hoped that justice will be done with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said rights of the people are needed to be protected and a sense of security instilled among them. He said the government of India will have to walk an extra mile in reaching out to the people, expedite development, complete rail project to link Kashmir with railways on immediate basis and lay emphasis on dependable road communication. He expressed concern over frequent road closures on the Srinagar Jammu highway and said this aspect is required to be taken care of for the sake of smooth mobility.
He also complimented the people for reposing their faith in the party in the parliamentary elections and said it will be bounden duty of all the three Members of Parliament to work for preserving the secular ethos of the country. He said India belongs to all and this spirit has to be promoted and strengthened at all costs.
