Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 18: Terming the conduct of ongoing State Assembly elections as most free and fair polls in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mufti Mohd Sayeed today gave all credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restoring the faith of Kashmiris in this democratic exercise.
“Who comes to power or loses in elections is none of his (Narendra Modi’s) concern but restoration of people’s faith in democracy, which was evident from massive voting by the Kashmiris in Srinagar where the polls were used to be boycotted earlier,” he said while addressing public meetings At R S Pura and Gandhi Nagar in support of the party candidates.
Showering all praise for Narendra Modi, Mufti Sayeed made it clear that without the direction of Prime Minister and his Central Government, conducting free and fair polls was not possible and like then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002, the incumbent restored the faith of J&K people in democracy.
“I repeat my words what I said yesterday, he (Narendra Modi) is Prime Minister of all, irrespective of region and religion. He is Prime Minister of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and all other communities in the country. He has a bigger vision and mission to take India ahead from China and other nations. Who wins or looses is none of his concern,” the PDP patron said and apparently dropping enough hints on post poll scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.
Claiming that formation of People’s Democratic Party Government in Jammu and Kashmir was a writing on the wall, Mufti Sayeed, while winding up his aggressive election campaign, made an emotional appeal to Jammuites to vote for his party candidates for ensuring share of Jammu in the PDP tally for State Assembly. He promised to formulate a comprehensive programme and policy for the socio-economic growth and development of Jammu region.
The PDP patron also sought to play Sikh card in the elections and reminded that during his party Government, he made Trilok Singh Bajwa Member of Rajya Sabha and Manjeet Singh a minister for six years besides appointing Rangil Singh as Chairman of the JAKFED despite the fact that not even a single person from the community was elected as MLA. “On the other hand, Dr Manmohan Singh and his Congress party did not make even a single MLC or minister from the Sikh community in J&K while no package for permanent settlement for refugees was sent to the Central Government during their (UPA) regime for 10 years,” he said.
Mufti Sayeed also announced to set up Guru Nanak Dev University on the lines of Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra.
Mufti reminded the people that during its tenure of just three years, PDP Government had treated all regions equally and decentralized powers at grass loot level by political and economically empowering all regions and sub-regions of the State.
Reaffirming his commitment to formulate a comprehensive policy to cope up with the problem of unemployment in the State, Mufti made it point to remind the people that it was during his tenure that an investment worth Rs 10,000 crore was made to develop industry in Jammu region. He also assured that PDP has vision to address the problem of unemployment.
The former Chief Minister said that PDP has been propagating the agenda of peace, unity and reconciliation in this region and even with 16 MLAs in 2002, the party not only formed Government but also changed political discourse of the State and laid strong foundation of inter-regional unity in Jammu and Kashmir. Terming Jammu as historic city of the country, Mufti Sayeed promised to restore heritage of this city and develop Jammu as gate way of the State.
While addressing the public meeting at Gandhi Nagar, senior PDP leader S Rangil Singh claimed that Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib has announced support to the party. “During a meeting with PDP leadership, Mahantjee had announced support for party candidates as he expressed his satisfaction over incorporating all the demands of Sikh community in election manifesto of PDP,” he said.
During the meeting at R S Pura, former Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Manmohan Choudhary, who had quit Congress and joined BJP on the eve of Assembly polls, today embraced PDP along with his supporters in the presence of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Pahari leader and writer Nissar Rahi from Rajouri, who heads Pahari Cultural Forum, also joined PDP on the occasion.
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