Political stalemate detrimental to interests of J&K: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: Reiterating that PDP-BJP should either form the Government to end political uncertainty or pave way for dissolution of Legislative Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and former Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that indecision is against the larger interest of the people and the State.
“The people have mandated the two parties to govern the state and they cannot shirk their responsibilities”, Dr Abdullah said while addressing the party workers at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.
He said the sensitive state cannot afford political stalemate for a long and in case the PDP and BJP are unable to perform their assigned roles, there is no option but to go to the people. He said decision-deficit in the coalition has unfolded many challenges on all fronts.  He asked the cadre to step up mass contact and gear up for meeting these challenges. He exhorted the functionaries at the grass roots level to identify problems and seek their urgent redressal.
Lauding the resilience and sense of commitment of the party workers in meeting variant situations, the National Conference President said time has come when the basic district and block level units have to become more vibrant and pro-active in carrying forward the policies and programmes to the people.
He said National Conference is the only visible face in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and it alone can steer out the State from the present morass. He, however, cautioned them against the machinations of divisive forces and hoped that unity shall be maintained at all costs.
“National Conference represents glorious ethos of Jammu and Kashmir, as it does not discriminate among the people on the basis of region, religion or caste”, he observed while emphasizing that this spirit has to be maintained at all costs. He made a mention of the ongoing membership drive and expressed satisfaction over enthusiasm among the people in joining the party. He described the response as encouraging as also challenging and exuded confidence that given the leadership at various levels, the party will meet the expectations and aspirations of the people with fortitude.
Dr Farooq Abdullah also referred to the inter-party elections and said the process will be completed early. “The grass roots level workers have a pivotal role in shaping up the party and making it vibrant as envisioned by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah”, he said, adding that National Conference is a symbol of political stability.
Speaking on the occasion, the Provincial President Devender Singh Rana dwelt on the current political uncertainty and said despite having been voted out of power in the last elections, National Conference continues to remain in the hearts of the people. He said the trust and confidence of the people will further rejuvenate it in the months and years to come.
Mr Rana said the people were realizing the futility of voting such forces to power which gave nothing but plunged the state into a real mess due to indecision. “This situation is needed to be reversed as this sensitive state cannot afford political vacuum for a long”, he maintained.