NC in poll manifesto: Will pursue Autonomy with renewed vigor

The party also promised to safeguard the “special status” of J&K if voted to power and continue its efforts to get the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) revoked from the State.  The manifesto also talks about rehabilitation of flood victims.

AUTONOMY
Addressing a press conference here, National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar said the party has always maintained that restoration of Autonomy is the “only solution” to Kashmir issue.
“We reminded the Government of  India about the resolution of the State Assembly in this behalf which requires their urgent consideration,” Sagar said.
He said Autonomy “can be foundation stone” to resolve Kashmir. “They don’t have option but to accept it as National Conference is only talking about things that are possible within the Indian constitution,” Sagar said.
To a question that autonomy was part of party’s poll manifesto for 2008 elections and what was done in this regard in the past six years, Sagar evaded a direct response. “We will never give it up. It is our political agenda and we will keep pursuing it,” he said.

ON ARTICLE 370:
Terming Article 370 that guarantees special status to J&K as a “bridge” between New Delhi and J&K, Sagar said if Government of India wants to break the bridge then “the move will affect the relations.” The BJP has reiterated its “commitment” to abrogate Article 370 apart from “removing obstacles hampering state’s complete integration with rest of the country.”
“It has been guaranteed by the Parliament after accepting the Muslim majority character of the state. Nobody can touch it; otherwise it will boomerang across India,” Sagar said.

ON AFSPA:
Sagar said the debate on revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act from J&K was the “victory” of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “We are on a winning track. Not only BJP but even Congress is debating revocation of AFSPA. This is the victory of Omar Sahab that he is getting support from unexpected quarters. If people are voting, joining mainstream, then why are hurdles being created to stop its revocation,” Sagar said.
The Chief Minister had in the past reiterated that the law would go during his tenure. But his demand reportedly faced stiff opposition both from Army and Defense Ministry.

ON REHABILITATION OF FLOOD VICTIMS:
Sagar said the National Conference would face the challenge of rebuilding J&K which was hit by floods last September “with courage, if voted to power.”
“It will be our priority to rehabilitate flood victims,” Sagar said. He said the National Conference shall undertake the task of rehabilitation “with a vision and with a determination to take steps to prevent recurrence of such a calamity.”
Sagar said the National Conference would strive to get Srinagar and Jammu cities included in the list of the smart cities proposed by the BJP government, and the party, if voted to power, “shall leave no stone unturned” to get full amount estimated as loss during the floods, sanctioned by Government of India.  The state government has submitted a loss memo of Rs 44,000 crore to the Centre for its sanction. However, the Centre is yet to take a decision on it. As per official estimates, Kashmir’s infrastructure and businesses suffered a loss of Rs 1,00,000 crore (1 trillion) in the September floods.
The manifesto also enumerated achievements of Omar-led government in the past six years.
“The government provided one lakh jobs to youth and 70000 more are in the offing; 1400 MW power projects have been launched in the state during the past six years,” it reads.
The manifesto also talks about establishment of administrative units, holding of Panchayat elections, construction of road network, water supply schemes and progress made in agriculture and horticulture sectors, during the past six years.