New Delhi, 15 Mar (KMW): Foreign Correspondent Club of South Asia (FCC) New Delhi witnessed an event of great significance when people cutting across political and social ideologies joined in large numbers at a book launch function on the “HAYAAT-U-KHIDMAAT” [LIFE and SERVICE] of Late G M Shah, former J&K Chief Minister and Founder President J&K Awami National Conference.
According to a statement issued to KMW, while speaking at impressive function organized by Delhi wing of ANC, CPI National Secretary A B Bardhan, the Chief Guest, gave an open invitation to the ANC that without waiting for any formal alliance or seat adjustment, it should join forces with them to replicate at the national level what it has been doing in the state to thwart the sinister march of the Congress and the BJP towards power at the Centre.
He called upon the J&K Awami National Party (ANC) to join hands with the Left and other like-minded parties to defeat the “divisive and communal forces†which are doing their utmost to grab power in the forthcoming general elections. Responding to the offer, Begum Khalida Shah, president of ANC, first lamented the sufferings of Kashmiris living under the constant fear of security forces because of prolonged “mistrust†by the Centre.
However, she said the ANC was ready to give its whole-hearted support to the Left and all those parties at the national level which can bring about an improvement in the life of an ordinary Kashmiri and are ready to take steps to bring the state within the national mainstream.
KC Tyagi, National Spokesperson of the Janata Dal (United), in his address regretted the constant refrain of those ruling at the Centre about Kashmir being an integral part of India without taking adequate steps to end the sufferings of those living in the state. He said the situation will be no different if the saffron party comes to power, as is being touted in the media. Therefore, he said the need of the hour was that the ANC, whose founder GM Shah had the gumption to confront the Centre while taking care of the interests of the Kashmiris, to plunge into the electoral arena.
Prof. Bhim Singh and P Namgyal paid floral tributes to the former Chief Minister and remembered him as a strict disciplinarian, a man of commitment and honour who never compromised on principles and gave Jammu and Kashmir one of the best accountable administration the state ever had with no regional imbalance or regional bias.
While welcoming the guests, ANC Sr. Vice President Mr Muzzafar Shah said “the book depicts a very significant political chapter without which the contemporary political history of Jammu and Kashmir could remain lopsided. We firmly believe that readers will find some startling hidden aspects connected with Jammu and Kashmir state for purposes of record and reference for our posterity. Mr. Shah gave a brief insight into the chapters of this book. Sh. K C Tyagi, JD (U) National Spokesperson, former Union Minister P Namgyal from Leh , National Panthers Party Patron and Sr. Supreme Court Lawyer Prof. Bhim Singh, Dr Sameeer kaul, National Spokesperson of PDP and Ashok Bhan, Advoctate Supreme Court were guests of honour. ANC Chief Begum Khalida Shah presided over the function. (KMW)
