‘My people will never let me remove my cap to beg for votes’
JAMMU, Sept 9: Despite entering into a pre-poll agreement, the rift within the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance has become glaringly apparent as former JKPCC president Vikar Rasool Wani has challenged “all the generations of Abdullahs” to show a “single achievement” in his Assembly segment, Banihal, during their rule in the erstwhile State.
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Addressing a gathering in his home turf Banihal today, Wani claimed that his well-wishers had informed him that several parties were trying to undermine his candidacy in Banihal.
He said, initially he thought it might be the BJP, given his frequent criticism of the party in the past.
“But I was taken by a surprise when I got to know that it was Omar Abdullah who was actually trying to weaken my position. It was him who told a gathering in Banihal the other day that I had accused all the Abdullahs of ignoring Banihal on the developmental front,” Wani said.
“Now that Omar has been leaving no stone unturned to disrespect me, let me say it with the commitment that none of the Abdullahs-Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Dr Farooq Abdullah, or Omar Abdullah-have even a single achievement to show in Banihal Assembly Constituency,” he said.
Wani directly challenged Omar Abdullah to show even one development project initiated by him in Banihal, asserting that if Abdullah could do so, he would cease contesting elections.
Regarding the creation of new administrative units in his constituency during the NC-Congress dispensation, Wani clarified that these units were established not solely by Omar Abdullah but also with his (Wani’s) equal contribution, as he was also a Minister in Abdullah’s Cabinet.
He emphasized that both NC and Congress equally own these administrative units.
Wani pointed out that a committee formed for this purpose was also headed by senior Congress leader Tara Chand, and not by any NC leader.
The former JKPCC president also noted that NC leaders such as Mohammad Akbar Lone, Mian Altaf, Mir Saifullah and Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, along with Omar Abdullah, were the first to open new administrative units in their own constituencies.
He highlighted that it was his efforts, leveraging his position as a coalition partner that led to the creation of 2 Sub-Districts, 3 Tehsils, 7 Niabats and 3 Blocks in Banihal.
He argued that had the NC opposed the creation of new administrative units in Banihal, the party would have faced serious consequences, even dissolving of the coalition Government then.
Wani also mentioned that his party had made significant contributions in Banihal, including electrifying remote areas, constructing roads, and establishing hospitals and schools, whereas the NC had nothing to show in terms of achievements.
The former JKPCC President Vikar Rasool Wani criticized the NC for its six-year governance period between 1996 and 2002 and in previous terms as well as far as development of Banihal is concerned.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with being disrespected by his coalition partner, stating that he cannot respect a coalition where he is consistently abused and disrespected.
Wani challenged all the generations of Abdullahs to campaign and contest the polls from Banihal to see who wins from the Assembly segment.
“You come and count your achievements in Banihal and I will count mine. Or you come and contest the polls from this area and we will see who wins from here,” dared Vikar.
Wani warned the people of Banihal against falling victim to NC leadership, claiming that the NC only views them as enemies and is trying to undermine him because he can expose them both inside and outside the Assembly.
Wani also accused the NC leadership of neglecting the youth and not providing sufficient infrastructure in Banihal.
He claimed that the Congress had been the true representative of the downtrodden and poor in the area.
The Congress candidate from Banihal Assembly segment also stated that NC leadership considers people of Banihal as the second-grade citizens.
“Had these people considered you as the first-class citizens they would have done something for you,” said Wani.
Finally, Wani took a swipe at NC vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for removing his cap during an election rally recently to solicit votes.
In a symbolic statement about his commitment to his constituents, Wani declared, “My people will never let me remove my cap for votes. They will never let me beg for votes by removing the cap. Instead, they will send me to the Assembly by wearing the turban.”
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