Srinagar, June 03 : National Conference (NC) president and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday reiterated that their priority will remain the restoration of Statehood and restoration of Articles 370, 35-A. The idea of fostering peace, prosperity and development in J&K is elusive until people's infringed constitutional rights aren't restored.
Presiding over a virtual meeting of the party's provincial Committee members, Abdullah said there can be no trade off between the political aspirations of the people and development; both have to go hand in hand. There is no shift in our party agenda on serving people, and protecting the unique political and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting that lasted for five hours, party's Vice President Omar Abdullah was also present. While interacting with the provincial functionaries, the Party president said the entire region is at a breaking point due to the aftermath of the August 5 measures, predatory effects of the Covid-19 induced crises.
“People of the state are caught in a deadly quagmire of economic and political uncertainty. Administrative unaccountability and development stagnation have become the norm of the day. The mislaid rules, regulations, and off-hand orders have put Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh on the path of terminal alienation. It is the youth that is facing the major brunt of the unconcerned attitude of the incumbent government. Nobody other than us in the National Conference can realize the amount of alienation; Jammu and Kashmir has suffered at the hands of the present ruling regime, since it was the National Conference that had firmly established the state on democratic and constitutional foundations. The seeds of an empowered Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were sown by us,” he said.
Extolling the party functionaries and MPs for their efforts against the ravaging impact of Covid on J&K economy, he asked the members to deepen their bond with the people by sharing in their worries and taking up the issues faced by them at all appropriate forums.“We haven't won the battle against Covid yet. We are halfway towards eliminating it, the war is on. It requires strengthening testing, tracing and treatment mechanisms. Stepping up of vaccination drives also holds the key towards improving herd immunity. The administration is doing its best in combating the menace, a lot needs to be done.
The best the people of JK can do is to follow the required Covid -19 protocol, government advisories and shun vaccine inhibition. I hope the party functionaries will take the lead in getting themselves and their families vaccinated,” he said.
He also stated that the Party MPs have been devotedly releasing MP-LAD funds to strengthen the efforts of the administration in the battle against the Covid-19. “The funds were released to make good of the deficiency of critical Covid care equipment, oxygen plants, and other facilities. I had even shot a letter to LG as well seeking augmentation of facilities at Covid care centres across J&K. I had also brought to his notice the deficiency of manpower in health facilities.
On the issue of the party's membership drive and youth body elections, Party president said the exercise has suffered a temporary halt due to Covid but will pick up again with the same vigour when the situation improves. Omar Abdullah in his interaction with the provincial members and special invitees said the party hasn't accepted August 5 measures as fate accomplice.
“We haven't changed our stance on the measures of August 5. We haven't relinquished our peaceful, constitutional, and non violent battle for the restoration of our constitutional rights. We will fight prudently. Our agenda based on integrity and service remains unchanged as well. However there is a great need to strengthen our party cadre of committed men and women for reaching to masses with our programme and toiling masses of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh,” he said.
