‘Mangat Ram’s statue to be installed in Jammu’
*2 power centres not in J&K’s interest: Karra
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 17: National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah today slammed the BJP for its “lack of concern” for Jammu and said the Omar Abdullah-led Government will ensure comprehensive development of the region.
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The former Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of the ‘Darbar Move’, an age-old practice stopped by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration in J&K under which the Government used to function six months each in Srinagar and Jammu, as a tradition that promotes unity and harmony among both regions.
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“The current state of affairs in Jammu, particularly in terms of roads and infrastructure, exposes the lack of concern the BJP has for the region. The numerous potholes, unreliable power supply, high unemployment rates, toll plazas, job outsourcing and mining activities, as well as the influx of big retail players, all serve as glaring examples of the BJP’s indifference towards the local population,” Farooq said while speaking at a function organised to remember former Dy Chief Minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma on his birth anniversary in Jammu today.
“The promises made by the BJP have proven to be nothing but empty words as nearly a decade has passed with little to show for it. Where are the promised jobs, new roads, schools, and hospitals,” Farooq asked.
He said with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah leading a democratic Government, the Jammu region can finally look forward to comprehensive development.
Farooq stressed upon the importance of unity and harmony to bring development benefits to the troubled region, highlighting that India is a country rich in diversity, with each region boasting its own unique culture, language and set of challenges that require localised solutions.
“Jammu and Kashmir, in particular, is a region with a diverse culture, and the ‘Darbar Move’ was established to promote unity in diversity. The primary objective of this traditional annual move was not only to bring together two regions but also to enhance trade and community relations,” the NC chief said.
The former CM expressed his disappointment that the BJP viewed this tradition as a “hindrance to their agenda”, leading to its discontinuation.
However, he stressed the importance of reviving this practice to bridge divisions, a goal that the Omar Abdullah-led NC Government was actively pursuing.
He assured that the Government would focus on not only promoting development but also fostering unity among the people.
Farooq emphasized the significance of embracing diversity and working towards unity in the progress and harmony of Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Chief Minister also assured the family members of late Dy Chief Minister and other activists that Pt Mangat Ram’s statue will be installed at a suitable place in Jammu shortly.
Speaking on the sidelines of this function, JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra said two power centres within the J&K are not in the national interest and also in the interest of JKUT.
He also accused the BJP of pursuing “jingoistic and divisive” politics and said every attempt to weaken the Congress is bound to fail as nobody can kill the ideology and philosophy of the party.
Responding to a question about the Lieutenant Governor chairing the security review meetings, Karra said, “I do not know whether the review of security is taking place today or not but when the first time the LG reviewed the security situation we expressed suspicion about attempts to create two power centres in Jammu and Kashmir which is not in national interest.”
He said on one hand, the Lieutenant Governor is reviewing the security situation and on the other hand the Chief Minister.
“May be they take different decisions leading us on the cross-roads.
The Lt Governor should accept that the transition is a reality today and everyone must understand and realize this fact and act accordingly. We request all, especially the Lt Governor, to adopt a holistic and inclusive approach otherwise instead of benefitting, such meetings could prove harmful,” he said.
On National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s statement that the BJP is using Article 370 to weaken the Congress, he said this is what the party leaders are saying repeatedly but as far as his party is concerned it faced similar unsuccessful attempts in the past by the “same forces”.
“BJP’s jingoistic and divisive politics is going to make India weak rather than Congress. They are weakening the foundations of ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’ (mixed culture),” he said, adding it is heartening that people like Abdullah are acknowledging the BJP’s onslaught on the Congress by misrepresenting the facts.
Karra said the Congress may be numerically weakened after most of its candidates lost the elections but “nobody can decimate the party or finish it as no one can kill the party’s ideology and philosophy”.
He said his party has already cleared its stand on Article 370 time and again as well as the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and “so talking about stale things means providing cannon to the BJP”
Referring to Pt Mangat Sharma, he said the real tribute to the Congressman is to stand up and fight the forces against whom he was always on the forefront throughout his life.
Senior Congress leaders Raman Bhalla, Ch Lal Singh, Balwan Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Ved Mahajan, Rattan Lal Gupta (NC), Jahangir Mir, Rajnish Sharma (Mian), BL Bhat, Shabir Khan, Manmohan Singh,TS Tony, Shah Mohd Choudhary and others besides family members of Late Sharma also paid tribute to Pt Mangat Ram Sharma on his birth anniversary.
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