![Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo addressing National Conference workers at Jammu on Friday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/page334.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
Addressing party workers at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan here this afternoon, the Minister said the people are yearning for peace and development and it is therefore incumbent upon the party to take all possible measures to satiate these in a time bound manner.
The interaction was part of series initiated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, making it mandatory for National Conference Ministers to remain available at the party headquarters on rotational basis for addressing to the problems of workers and the people.
The Minister appreciated the initiative and said this will bring the workers closer to the party leadership and eventually help in framing responses to various hard pressed issues on the basis of feedback from the grassroots. He urged the workers to play their useful role as a bridge between people and the Government.
Mr Kitchloo said National Conference has stood like a rock for safeguarding the interests of people, adding that history stands testimony to the sacrifices offered by its towering leaders to uphold the dignity and honour of the people.
The Minister referred to holding of Panchayat elections notwithstanding hostile atmosphere and said this reflected the deep longing of the party to empower people at grassroots level. He castigating those igniting passions over political empowerment of people, saying they abdicated their responsibilities by delaying Panchayat elections when in power.
National Conference made it a point to hold elections to democratic institutions at grassroots level soon after taking the reins of Government despite hostile political atmosphere.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial President, Devender Singh Rana said that National Conference will emerge much stronger than ever before in 2014 elections given its track record of public service and commitment to Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos.
“It is the only party which has weathered most turbulent tides and maintained unity between the three regions and people belonging to various faiths”, he said while recalling the cherished mission of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah making the State a bastion of amity and brotherhood. He said Hindu, Muslim, Sikh unity has been the corner stone of the party’s agenda, adding this spirit is deeply rooted among the people which will continue to remain source of inspiration for generations.
Mr Rana referred to the emergence of various parties on the political horizon of the State and said these almost vanished from the scene as their foundations lay on deceit, insincerity and vested interest. Without naming any party, he said their leaders lack consistency and speak what suits them to grab the power. “Lust for power has rendered them as chameleons, who keep changing colours as per situations”, Mr Rana said.
Later deputations from Gool-Arnas, Ramban, Banihal, Billawar, Kathua, Basholi, Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor, Padar, Kishtwar met the Minister and apprised him about their problems.