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Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said his party will win the next assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that his party will participate in the polls.
“We will win and I am telling you with authority that if they hold elections in a free and fair manner, the National Conference will be the single largest party here,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event called the ‘Parliamentary Outreach Programme’. For the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC chief, who represents the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, however, expressed regret over his party’s non-participation in the 2018 panchayat elections and the 2019 block development council elections.
“Our party did not contest the elections and I regret it. We should have (contesting elections) and we will in future, by the will of God,” said the veteran politician.
Advising the members of Panchayati Raj Institutions along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who were present on the dais, Abdullah asked them to stay in touch with the people and listen to their problems, and not to behave like bureaucrats, What he said does not come to the rescue of the people.
Expressing displeasure over the J&K administration officials not responding to calls from people, Abdullah requested Sinha to direct him to answer the phone calls.
“I have a complaint with the government officials that they don’t pick up their phones as if some ghost is hanging over them,” he said. The MP said that he gets calls from anyone because as a doctor he feels that the caller may have some kind of trouble. I do not ask him which religion or party he belongs to. I see him as a human being in whose heart God resides, he said.
Abdullah said that soon a government would be formed which would hold the officers accountable.
They will be held accountable tomorrow for what they did. Today they consider themselves kings, but they are not kings, they are servants of the people who have to work for the people, he said.
He said that the Union Territory is still facing terrorism and God knows what will happen in future.
Abdullah urged Lt Governor Sinha to provide security to the panchayat leaders, saying they were being targeted by terrorists.
One of the most important things that we have to see is the safety of these panchayat members as they (terrorists) will be the first target. Politicians will be targeted. We are targeted anyway. (Those) who are standing with the country will have to face those (threats). Don’t run, God is the only savior, he said.
The NC leader said it is extremely important to provide security to political workers as they have to work at the grassroots level.
Recently, BJP members have been killed, another from their own party. God knows what will happen in the coming days. If a Panchayat member or a member of the District Development Council or a political party has to work, then their safety is very important. Otherwise how will they work and reach their areas.
Pointing to J&K Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, who was in the audience, Abdullah said he understands that security cannot be given to everyone, but you have to do something about it.
Yesterday, a CPI leader told me that he was in danger and his security was lacking. Therefore, before killing him, care must be taken. He said that if we stand with the country, then it is also the responsibility of the country to take care of our security.
Members of Panchayati Raj Institutions applauded Abdullah’s remarks.
Asked whether he sees any improvement in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5, 2019, when the Center revoked the erstwhile state’s special status, the NC president said people should judge for themselves.
See for yourself what changes have happened. Has our situation improved, has there been any progress, has there been any development, you have to see for yourself. If I say something, he will say that he is from the opposition and will say what the opposition parties are saying.
Asked about the impact of the situation in Afghanistan, Abdullah said the situation is not better in any of India’s neighboring countries. Where is the situation better in our neighborhood? How is the situation in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Maldives? He said that if we say that the situation is normal in any of our neighboring countries, then it is not so.
The Taliban will definitely have an impact somewhere. I don’t know how much it will happen and where it will happen, how much impact it will have on America or Russia or China, I don’t know.
read also: How ‘BJP’s B-team’ Altaf Bukhari in J&K survives without selling dreams about Article 370
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