Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 11: After recent disputes over seat allocation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections between the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, threatening the cohesion of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), MY Tarigami, spokesperson for the alliance and leader of the CPI (M), vowed today to address the emerging divisions among the Alliance members.
While talking to reporters here, Tarigami acknowledged the disagreements among the alliance constituents, emphasizing his commitment to reconcile the emerging differences. He stressed that the Alliance was not merely an electoral pact but a coalition formed for a larger cause.
Tarigami said that he would try to reconcile differences within the alliance, underscoring the imperative of solidarity and collaboration among its members in confronting the myriad challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir. “I am not here to assign blame. It is paramount that the issues for which this platform was established remain the focus of our efforts,” he said.
The rift within the PAGD deepened last week when the NC and the PDP clashed over the allocation of the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, citing the latter’s poor performance in the 2019 elections.
While highlighting the genesis of the PAGD, the CPI(M) leader said that the platform emerged in response to the events following August 5th, which saw the erosion of rights and identity.
“It aimed to unite the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to reclaim constitutional rights,” he said. He reiterated that the PAGD represents the collective voice striving to address unresolved issues, including the downgrade of the state into two union territories and the demand for statehood.
Tarigami criticized the delay in holding assembly elections, despite assurances from the Election Commission of India.
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