Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Friday said it was the only party which could stop the rise of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and defeat its “divisive” agenda.
“The collapse of National Conference and Congress in the state as major political forces has pitted the PDP directly against the BJP,” Sayeed claimed while addressing public meetings in south Kashmir Pulwama district.
“The BJP’s divisive agenda to seek a majority in the assembly is detrimental to the interests of the state and the country,” he said, adding that his party with the support of the people would defeat the designs to dilute the distinct identity of J&K.
He added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want a solution to their political problems through democratic process and that is the reason for their increasing participating in the polls.
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 PDP patron said.
“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…,” 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 added.
The former chief minister 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.
He claimed 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,” he said, adding 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.
Sayeed said the state is beset with immense challenges on reconstruction front and alleged that the NC-Congress government failed to deliver during past six years. (PTI)
