Srinagar, Mar 26 (KMW): National Conference President and Senior Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the 2014 Parliamentary Elections offered a significant opportunity to stop communal forces in India from attaining a position which would allow them to carry forward their agenda of dividing the people of this country on the basis of religion, caste and creed.
According to a statement issued to KMW, Dr. Farooq said that the idea of India is one of a secular and inclusive nation and Narendra Modi opposes everything that the founders of this nation enshrined in the constitution and history of India.
Speaking at a workers’ meeting at NC District Office in Budgam, Dr. Farooq said that there was a threat at our doors that needs to be defeated if we have to safeguard the interests of the people of this State and of this country. The Narendra Modi who ruthlessly and arrogantly disrespected and sidelined his own seniors and mentors in BJP, can offer no hope of inclusiveness to the people of this country. This election is unlike all elections in the past as we are face-to-face with a figure who aims to polarize the people of this country on communal lines – an evil design that needs to be thwarted without any compromise.
Dr. Farooq added that this was not the time to bicker or argue amongst ourselves, but a time of reckoning for all secular forces in the country to rise up to the occasion and come together to defeat Modi. Terming PDP a creation of BJP to divide the representation of the people of J&K, Dr. Farooq Abdullah asked the workers to defeat the BJP and PDP nexus to ensure that J&K continues to resiliently grow with equity and dignity for one and all.
Speaking at the workers’ meeting, NC Working President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the State had witnessed unprecedented governance in the last five years of the NC-Congress coalition government. Omar Abdullah said that National Conference workers form the back-bone of the party and the party’s history is a testimony of secularism, pro-people struggles and public service. Terming the upcoming Parliamentary Elections as the first test of strength and dedication this year, Omar Abdullah asked his colleagues and workers to take the achievements of the governance to the people and expose the hollow rhetoric of the detractors of this State’s unity and our identity.
Stating that he is dedicated to serving the State for years and decades to come, Omar Abdullah said that he was committed to continue to transform this State towards equitable development and transparent governance. Omar Abdullah termed the upcoming elections as a collective decision that the people have to make between communal, divisive forces and the secular ethos and identity of this State. PDP has tactically fielded candidates in the Jammu Province from certain areas with an eye to divide local votes in particular areas of these constituencies to directly benefit the Narendra Modi led BJP in the upcoming polls.
There is a clear choice that the people have to make in casting their votes. All votes that will be cast against National Conference would invariably be votes in favour of Narendra Modi and the people of this State are wise enough to understand the importance of stopping the bandwagon of communalism and opportunism to take roots in our State. The people of this State will play a frontal role in stopping Narendra Modi from wreaking havoc with the secular and egalitarian fabric of not only this State but the entire country.
Omar asked his senior colleagues and workers to leave no stone unturned to ensure a resounding victory for the candidates put forth by the party so that they could continue to be strong, resolute voices of the people of J&K in the Parliament.
The workers’ meeting was also addressed by Senior NC Leader and Cabinet Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, MLA Budgam Aga Syed Ruhullah, NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and MLC and District President Budgam Ali Mohammad Dar. Those present on the occasion included NC Spokesman Junaid Mattu, NC Provincial Secretary Showkat Ahmed Mir, leaders of the party’s youth wing, representatives of the Women’s Wing and student leaders of the National Conference Students Union. (KMW)
