Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: Hitting out at BJP for abusing its mandate and bruising the Jammu pride, Provincial president of National Conference, Devender Singh Rana today cautioned that any attempt to undermine the demand for additional AIIMS in Jammu will have serious ramifications.
” The Centre should come clear on the issue of AIIMS and any ambiguity will lead to further chaos which will be beyond the control of PDP-BJP led Government to handle”, Rana said while addressing a press conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this evening.
While reiterating NC’s stand about AIIMS, Mr Rana declared, ” We hail AIIMS for Kashmir and want another AIIMS for Jammu keeping in view the peculiar situation in Jammu and Kashmir on account of health infrastructure in both the regions of the State”.
Mr Rana described the statement of Union Health Minister, J P Nadda on AIIMS as vague and ambiguous, saying that by indulging in jugglery of words, an attempt has been made to hoodwink the public opinion. He regretted over the Minister and the BJP undermining the sagacity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by twisting the facts. He said the Union Minister has been uncharitable for both Kashmir and the Jammu divisions by saying that an AIIMS will be established in J&K with similar facilities in both the division. “What does he want to convey”, he asked while reiterating nothing short of two full fledged AIIMS would be accepted by the people of the State. He added that by going vague on the issue, the Centre has diluted the status of AIIMS for both Kashmir and Jammu.
The NC leader advised the BJP not to behave like ostrich, saying that the party stands completely exposed before the people. ” The gimmicks, emotional blackmail or the sentimental exploitation will no more work now”, he added.
To a question, Mr Rana said if the election compulsion can compel the BJP led Government in New Delhi to sanction two AIIMS for Bihar, what is the hitch in meeting the demand of the people of Jammu. He cited the example of Central University and said that after respecting the aspiration of the people of Jammu, the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led an All Party delegation to the Prime Minister and got another Central University sanctioned for Jammu.
“Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed claimed during the taking over of reins that the PDP-BJP Government will bring the divisions of Kashmir and Jammu closer but in practice sinister attempts are being made to create a wedge and to bring the people eye ball to eye ball situation by pursuing dangerous policies”, he said and expressed concern over the way they were leading the state.
He lauded the people of Jammu for showing high degree of unity and solidarity by observing complete and peaceful bandh.
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