Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 13: Stressing the need of a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi in each State of the country for good governance at local level, former Chief Minister and chief patron of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohd Sayeed today assured development of Jammu and Kashmir on Gujarat model if his party comes to power after the ongoing Assembly polls here.
“Like Modi’s model of governance in Gujarat for twelve years, we will give a corruption free, accountable and single window system in Jammu and Kashmir if you vote PDP to power in the State,” he said while addressing an impressive public gathering in support of the party candidate for Jammu-East Assembly constituency, Bharat Chowdhary, here today.
Notwithstanding the criticism of his Government’s tenure by Narendra Modi as ‘Baap-Beti Ki Sarkar’, Mufti Sayeed did not hesitate in praising the former for his good governance and said that every State should have a Modi for serving the people efficiently and selflessly at local level.
“You people rightly voted for Modi in Parliament elections but he will not come to head Jammu & Kashmir because he is now Prime Minister of the country and the BJP has no leader like him at State level,” he added while projecting himself as best choice as Chief Minister for ensuring a good governance in J&K.
Mufti Sayeed also recalled the extent of support provided to him by Sonia Gandhi of Congress as well as then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani of BJP in 2002 because of his abilities and commitment to serve the people of Jammu Kashmir. “It is a co-incidence that BJP is once again in power at the Centre and a wind of change is blowing in Jammu & Kashmir with a PDP Government in offing after the Assembly polls,” he said without elaborating more on the issue.
Reiterating his commitment for equitable development of the State and providing a corruption free, transparent and accountable Government in Jammu and Kashmir, the former Chief Minister listed his achievements during the three-year tenure of PDP-led regime. “If the PDP is voted to power, we will bridge the inter-regional trust deficit and our election manifesto will be the guiding model of development in the State,” he added.
Mufti Sayeed stressed that he wanted to change destiny of Jammu and Kashmir and make the State as role model for peace. He assured to create more jobs for educated unemployed youth by promoting technology and high-tech industry in the State instead of encouraging adhoc arrangements. He also promised to make Jammu as heritage tourist destination.
Exuding confidence that the PDP was going to form next Government in Jammu and Kashmir with full majority, Mufti Sayeed said that his ambition was not to capture power but to win confidence of the people. “We are going to get enough seats from Valley for formation of Government but I want that Jammu should have its share in the PDP tally for Assembly,” he said while making an emotional appeal to Jammuites for vote to his party candidates in the ongoing elections.
While pointing towards the misdeeds of Omar Abdullah-led coalition Government, the PDP chief Patron did not miss the opportunity to lambaste National Conference and Congress for their failures. Both NC and Congress were partner in corruption and did not empower Local Bodies as well as Panchayats for their vested interest but now they are criticizing each other for an attempt to befool the masses,” he said and exhorted people to teach both the parties a lesson in the Assembly polls.
In his elaborate speech for more than half an hour, Mufti Sayeed also touched his favourite topics like Indo-Pak relations and hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would exhibit the statesmanship of his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee in pursuing good relations with the neighbouring country. “Take it as writing on wall that Modi Sahib will follow the path shown by Vajpayee Ji in respect of developing friendly relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and this was exhibited by the Prime Minister when he invited all the SAARC nation heads in his oath taking ceremony,” he said and suggested that India should not involve itself in petty issues if the country has to move forward for achieving bigger goals.
Earlier, the PDP candidate for Jammu-East Bharat Chowdhary also addressed the gathering and alleged that BJP as well as Congress did nothing for development of the constituency except playing the politics of name plates. Suggesting promotion of pilgrimage tourism in the city, he demanded that Jammu should be given the status of Heritage City.
On the occasion, former Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation, Narendra Singh Raju, Rahul Jamwal and others joined the PDP.
Senior PDP leader Vikramaditya Singh, S Rangil Singh, MLC Yashpal Sharma, Shanti Devi, MLC Asgar Ali, Ashok Jogi, Firdous Tak, and others were among those on the dais.
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