Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 9: The National Conference has once again raked up the issue of autonomy after being ousted from the power and passed a resolution today reiterating demand for restoration of autonomy saying it formed bedrock of party’s political agenda.
“The NC is committed to uphold the political dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While the party had passed the autonomy resolution with two-third majority in 2000, we will continue to struggle for our goal in future with vigour and sincerity,” a resolution adopted at the NC Working Committee meeting in Srinagar today said.
While in power for six years with Congress, the NC hardly made any mention of autonomy except for setting up the Sagheer Ahmad Committee to study Working Group recommendations, which had recommended autonomy for J&K. The Committee headed by the then Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather died its own death as it didn’t finalize its recommendations till the six years tenure of the Government ended.
The NC resolution said the party had put forth restoration of autonomy as “viable and credible solution” to the political issues and it welcomed “alternative methods of resolution” that would be acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and address their political aspirations.
Through another resolution, the NC Working Committee meeting, which was presided over by Dr Farooq Abdullah, party president and attended among others by NC working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, called for addressing both internal and external dimensions of Kashmir problem.
“As external dimension, we unanimously demand resumption of sustained and comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan while on the front of internal dimension, the Central Government should open dialogue with all internal stakeholders including the separatists. Any proposed resolution of Kashmir issues must satisfy all stakeholders,” the resolution said.
Addressing the WC meeting, Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed “grave concern” on the recent incidents of “intolerance” in the country, saying there was a need to defeat “divisive forces”, who were inimical to the interests of the country in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular.
“There is a need to defeat divisive forces who are inimical to the interests of the country in general and the State of Jammu and Kashmir in particular. The recent incidents of intolerance are of grave concern to the party and the people of the State,” Dr Abdullah said.
“The party is committed to upholding the political dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was also committed to uphold the ideals of pluralism and secularism and protecting the rights and liberties of people in all three regions of the State,” another party resolution said.
“The integrity of the State was non-negotiable and the party will defeat all sinister designs to create fissures between the regions of the State,” Farooq said.
Abdullah highlighted the need for peace between India and Pakistan, saying mutual cooperation and peaceful co-existence between the two neighbours was imperative to the goals of development and prosperity in the sub-continent.
The NC working committee expressed deep disappointment with the way the relief and rehabilitation of the last year’s flood victims had been handled.
“The Prime Minister had promised all support to the flood victims based on which the NC-Congress Government of the day projected a realistic demand of Rs 44,000 crores as a comprehensive Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Package.
“International agencies have termed the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir floods as the most economically devastating natural disaster of 2014 in the entire world. In light of this, the paltry relief released by the Government of India is tantamount to rubbing salt in the gaping wounds of the flood victims,” the NC said.
The Working Committee of the party also discussed various organizational aspects and also deliberated on the current political scenario prevalent in the State.
Addressing the Working Committee, NC working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “snubbing” Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at Modi’s rally at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar on November 7.
“The NC working president (Omar) condemned how the Prime Minister snubbed an elected Chief Minister during his public meeting in Srinagar when the Prime Minister said he did not require anyone’s advice on the Kashmir issue after the Chief Minister’s speech,” a statement issued by the opposition party at the end of its Working Committee meeting said.
Omar said this was indicative of the systematic erosion of the institution of the Chief Minister under the incumbent Chief Minister and “how despite his unending praise of the RSS and BJP – the Chief Minister stands discredited and snubbed by his own ally”.
The party also passed a resolution on the issue.
“The issue of Kashmir is a political issue that has foxed many great minds over generations and no single individual can claim to be bestowed by the acumen to resolve this issue single-handedly.
“The Working Committee of National Conference takes serious note of the arrogance displayed by the Prime Minister during his public meeting in Srinagar wherein he said that he did not require anyone’s advice on the Kashmir issue, thereby snubbing an elected Chief Minister,” the resolution read.
The party also lamented the “systematic erosion of the institution of Chief Minister under the current, incumbent Chief Minister.”
At the meeting, the former Chief Minister discussed various organizational aspects and suggestions put forth by the members of the Working Committee.
He reiterated the party’s efforts to not only streamline the organizational functioning of the party but also consolidate its grassroots present in all the three regions of the State.
Omar expressed satisfaction at the party’s revitalization in Leh and Kargil. He also reiterated the party’s vision to strengthen the minority, women and youth wings of the party and increase the party’s connect with various sections of the society.
Follow our WhatsApp channel