PDP will defeat BJP’s ‘divisive designs’: Mufti

‘J&K’s special status a historical necessity, nobody can subvert it’

Asserting that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the only party which could stop the BJP’s rise in the state, the party patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his party with the support of the people would defeat the designs to dilute the distinct identity of the state.

He was addressing a public meeting at Pulwama where he said the people of the Jammu and Kashmir want a solution to their political problems through democratic process which is why they are increasingly participating in the elections.

He said the collapse of National Conference and Congress in the state as major political forces has pitted the PDP directly against the BJP. Mufti said while it was legitimate for the BJP or any other party to seek a majority in the assembly the divisive agenda pursued by it to achieve its goal was detrimental to the interests of the state and the country.

The PDP patron said the special status granted by the Constitution to the state was neither a concession nor was it subservient to the ideology of any political party.

“The special status of Jammu and Kashmir was a historical necessity in view of the circumstances and realties of the situation that led to the partition of the country, post independence nation building efforts,” he said.

He said the inclusive and pluralistic composition of the state with a special status within the union should be a source of pride for the entire country but it is unfortunate that the BJP which is now ruling the country with a huge mandate is trying to undermine this asset of our democracy.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will give a befitting reply to any attempts at communalising the situation, eroding the state’s authority or diluting the constitutional position.

Mufti said the National Conference which has dominated the political scene in the state for a about eight decades has slumped to worst popular ratings as it could get a lead in just five segments in the Lok Sabha elections this year. Similarly, the fortunes of the Congress have eclipsed at the national level and in the state they have not been able to retain even their previous position. In such circumstances it is the PDP which the people are looking up to as a party that could rise up to the BJP’s challenge and whose government would be able secure a fair deal for them.

Mufti said the state is beset with immense challenges on reconstruction front. He said the NC-Congress government failed to deliver on any front during past six years. “The people are wise enough to know that supporting these parties a time when the fight is between PDP and BJP would amount to wasting their vote,” he added.

Referring to the local issues, the PDP Patron said besides having immense potential in horticulture, agriculture, tourism, trout farming, hydroelectricity, industries, the entire Pulwama district has been deliberately ignored by the National Conference-led government over the last six years. “Once voted to serve, the PDP will harness that potential to the best satisfaction of the people so that Pulwama district in real sense becomes a model district in the entire Country,” he said.

Mufti said the flood has wreaked huge devastation in the Pulwama district also by destroying standing crops, horticulture, residential structures and other infrastructure and the PDP has formulated a special plan to build the lives, livelihood and infrastructure afresh.

The PDP Patron further said the pathetic condition of roads and other vital infrastructure in the district signifies the callous attitude and step motherly treatment the Pulwama district has fore born over the years and it will be the sincere endeavour of the PDP government to give a new facelift, direction to the area. He said construction of the circular road will be taken up on priority basis to ease the traffic congestion in the Pulwama town and its adjoining areas.

Mufti also said that the Islamic University of Science and Technology which was established during his tenure and has become a major educational hub will be further enhanced and will be developed into a Centre of Excellence, so that it not only attracts the young talent from our own state but from outside the state as well.

Extolling the tremendous potential that the Pulwama district has in the Economic and Manufacturing sector, Mufti said that his party has charted a well thought out Economic policy for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Pulwama in particular. “Manufacturing sector has a role to play in decreasing the level of unemployment that is plaguing the state, so it will be my sincere pursuit to facilitate the growth of employment generating Agro based and Eco friendly Industries,” he added.

Mohammad Khalil Bandh, candidate for Pulwama constituency; Dr Haseeb Drabu, candidate for Rajpora constituency; Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, candidate for Tral constituency; Zahoor Ahmad Mir, candidate for Pampore constituency; Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, party youth president; Dr Harbasksh Singh (Shanti) youth general secretary (Minority) were also present on the occasion.