Sanjeev Pargal
—Excelsior / Harbhajan
JAMMU, Apr 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that Pakistan hasn’t stopped its activities of fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir including the Line of Control (LoC) and added that security forces and people of the area wouldn’t allow the neighbouring country to succeed in its plot.
Commenting on BJP’s high-profile candidate for Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, Omar said she seems to be “shellacked” even before Congress candidate Rahul Gandhi could arrive in the constituency. He was probably referring to row created by BJP candidate from Sultanpur (UP) Varun Gandhi, cousin of Rahul Gandhi, by praising the works done by the latter in Amethi.
Addressing public meetings at Fountain Garden in Poonch and Surankote town today on third day of his four days election campaign in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Omar made a reference to March 28 terrorist attack at Tarnah bridge and Janglote in Kathua district saying Pakistan hasn’t given up its activities to foment trouble in Jammu and Kashmir and cautioned that the neighbouring country could try to trigger more trouble during the elections.
However, he assured the people that security forces were fully alert along the borders and were determined to ensure trouble free elections to the Parliament.
Omar said the Unified Headquarters headed by him continued to review the situation on the borders and other areas to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will not allow Pakistan to succeed in its designs. The enemy has been conspiring to create trouble in the State but we are determined to thwart their designs and maintain peace,” he said.
The Chief Minister said since he has presently been campaigning for Lok Sabha elections, he would list achievements of the State Government when he comes up again for the Assembly polls, which were due by the end of this year.
In his series of tweets today from Poonch, Omar also took on Smriti Irani, the BJP candidate from Amethi, saying that she seems to be “shellacked” even before Congress Candidate Rahul Gandhi could arrive in the constituency.
“Looks like Smriti Irani’s campaign has just been shellacked and it didn’t even need Rahul to visit Amethi,” Omar wrote on micro-blogging site twitter while campaigning in Poonch today for Congress candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat Madan Lal Sharma.
Omar was reacting to controversy generated by BJP leader Varun Gandhi’s remarks that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi (cousin of Varun) had done a good job in Amethi Lok Sabha seat.
BJP has fielded its high profile candidate Smriti Irani in Amethi to give a tough fight to Rahul. Aam Aadmi Party candidate Kumar Vishwas is also in fray from Amethi.
Omar also took a swipe at BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi asking where should he (Omar) complain now after his chopper was delayed due to rains.
The question was posed by Omar, a day after Mr Modi attacked the Centre alleging a “conspiracy” over flight delays hitting his poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
“My helicopter was two hours late yesterday but I didn’t think anything of it,” the Chief Minister tweeted.
“Now it’s raining today. I smell a rat. Where should I complain,? he asked with a smiley.
Modi told a rally in Rewa in Madhya Pradesh yesterday that he was upset as the delays caused inconvenience to the people who came to hear him.
The BJP has also complained to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath yesterday alleging “conspiracy” in the delay in Modi’s flight from Delhi to Bareilly that affected his election campaign as he reached hours behind schedule.
Referring to his today’s rally in Poonch, Omar said: “the rain has tried to play spoilsport but can’t dampen the enthusiasm (of the crowd).
Asserting that the Prime Minister of India should reflect representative character and possess equal concern for all sections of the society, Omar said Mr Modi is “devoid of this characteristic” and carried with him the stigma of communal bias.
“Mr Modi, who did not show a courtesy to express sorry for the killings of large number of innocents in Gujarat and categorically denied cladding of a cap presented to him by Muslims does not suite to be the Prime Minister of a country like India, which is a pluralistic society with diversity of cultural heritage and faiths,” the Chief Minister said.
He said while the State Government had taken responsibility, Modi had refused to take responsibility for Gujarat riots.
He reiterated that Mr Modi symbolized a particular ideology based on “dividing the society on religion and regional bias”.
“Instead of this Rahul Gandhi represents the aspirations of the people of all sections of the society and is torch bearer of secular democratic India. Therefore, he deserved to be the Prime Minister to give justice to all and ensure equitable and inclusive development, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or colour”, Omar maintained.
Taking a dig on the assertion of Mr Modi and the BJP that they will look at Jammu and Kashmir through the prism of humanity, Omar asked: “when Mr Modi could not fulfill a fundamental requirement of humanism to express an apology for the killings of innocent human in Gujarat how can anyone expect human behaviour and justice from him”?
Referring to the contesting of Parliament election by PDP and fielding an inhabitant of Poonch as its candidate, the National Conference working president said it has made amply clear the design of PDP to attempt at dividing voters of Poonch-Rajouri belt with a view of helping Mr Modi and BJP.
He said the “secret alliance” between BJP and PDP has now come to fore openly and when Mr Modi says that new members have come to his support from Kashmir he refers to PDP which has also made it clear to work with and support Narendra Modi.
Omar asked the people to be aware of the divisive tactics of BJP and PDP to exploit them on various counts for power politics. He urged them to vote in great numbers in favour of NC-Congress candidates and foil the attempts of vested interests and communal forces to grab the power at the Centre.
The Chief Minister said that the holistic and all round development that has ruled the roost in the State during the last five years speaks loud and clear of the unprecedented support provided by the UPA Government led by Congress at the Centre to Jammu and Kashmir.
He also referred to the keenness of AICC (I) vice president Rahul Gandhi for all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir and mentioned his efforts to see the State on road to progress and development. He said that Rahul Gandhi is the person who could wholeheartedly help Jammu and Kashmir to overcome its difficulties and be a place of peace and economic prosperity.
The working president of National Conference also cautioned the people against the falsehood and propaganda being circulated by Pen and Inkpot Party (PDP) and said that this party has lost its relevance for making false promises to people, flaring up the tension, disturbing peace, ignoring public cause and miserably failing in deliverance of services during its three years tenure in the Government.
“The nib of PDP’s pen has broken and its pot is without ink”, he said, adding that this party could do no good to the people. He said PDP is in election fray only to help its BJP mentor otherwise the party is fully aware where it stands and how low its popularity is.
Omar mentioned the “gigantic development” process that has taken place in the State during the last five years of NC-Congress coalition Government and said that his Government has delivered on all fronts which is clearly visible on the ground. He said peace has been restored to a larger extent and development is on new highs in the State which would get further boost in the coming days.
Mr Abdullah said that vote to NC-Congress candidates in the State will be vote to strengthening secular democratic ideology and inclusive development as also to stop the communal forces to be at the helm of affairs at the Centre. He said all voters have to bear it in their minds that in Parliamentary election they are voting to choose the Parliament and the Prime Minister, as such, they have to be cautious to ensure to elect the Prime Minister who represents all faiths, all cultures and all areas of the country.
The meetings were also addressed by Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Provincial President National Conference, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, Legislators, Aijaz Jan, Dr Shahnaz Ganai, Jehangir Mir, Vice Chairman Advisory Board for Gujjars and Bakerwals, Ch. Bashir Naaz, senior NC and Congress leaders Peer Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Ch. Mohammad Akram, Brij Mohan Sharma, Gurdeep Singh Sassan, District President Poonch Qazi Mohammed Sayeed Beig, Ch. Shahnawaz and others.
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