PDP cautions against ‘worsening governance, security scenario’

Could assume dangerous dimensions, direction: Mehbooba

Corruption, promises hallmarks of Omar government: Baig

Kupwara, July 08 (VOS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the worsening governance and security situation in the state created a dangerous mix that could assume unpredictable dimensions and direction. Cautioning the people against this grim situation the party president Mehbooba Mufti and senior leader Muzaffar Hussein Baig urged them to direct their resentment along democratic and peaceful channels alone. They were addressing a well attended public meeting at Villgam in Handwara constituency of Kupwara district.

The two leaders said the state has suffered too much and too long as a result of the policies and mis-governance of successive NC governments, “but this government takes the cake even by their own standards”. They said the disturbances in 2010 were a result of governance deficit as was admitted by the UPA government at the center itself, of which the state coalition is a part. It was hoped the Omar Abdullah government would learn its lessons and set governance right but it seems his survival on crutches has only made him more arrogant giving him a misconceived notion of invincibility they said. “In a democratic set up no body is above the will of the people and PDP is going to establish this principle firmly in the state with support of the people” she said.

Mehbooba said the government was creating a pressure cooker situation in the state by remaining insensitive to development needs of all areas which could lead to an explosion. She said government was responding to serious issues of development with either false promises or police action. Even a somber and sad occasion like the burning of Dastgeer sahib which pained everyone is being responded to with police action against countless youth taking the repressive tactics for survival to the lowest level she said.

Referring to the problems faced by the border Kupwara area Mehbooba said the recent two day strike in the district should be an eye opener for the government. She said this was a protest perhaps for the first time at that scale anywhere in the state for purely developmental issues like roads, electricity and water but it seems the government in its trademark callousness has not even taken a note of this development. She said if the government could be so insensitive to ordinary day to day problems in a district that has a majority of NC MLAs the situation in other areas could very well be imagined.

Mehbooba said Kupwara has suffered the most as a result of two decade long strife and militancy. Thousands in the area were rendered destitute, widows and orphans but it was only after 2002 that the people here could heave a sigh of relief. She said the NC was still in its feudal mindset expecting people to let it exploit once again on false promises of autonomy which they sold out for their family interests and power. “We will not allow the atrocities of the past make a come back and people must now make a difference between their genuine well wishers and false claimants who have for decades exploited them only for personal gains” she said.

Muzaffar Hussein Baig said the present coalition had specialized in making two things: money and announcements. It seems their motto was only to fill personal pockets, make fortunes in and outside the state and try to keep people happy with announcements or silenced through force. While the ministers are busy making money, the administration is directionless with the efficient and honest sidelined and favorite fixers ruling the roost. “Some of the ministers and ruling politicians are now among the richest members of the society even though they have had a humble background before joining politics” he said and added that the vigilance and accountability structure created by the previous government had virtually been dismantled. But, he said, people had seen through their game and now every section of the society was on the streets demonstrating for one thing or the other and they would refuse in future to fall prey to their tactics. Baig said the people must try to benefit from the emergence of PDP as a viable alternative to the NC that had held a monopoly over decades. He said we are interested in genuine political scrutiny and public auditing of all elected representatives through democratic participation of people. Unfortunately this option has not been available to people in the state which compounded its political problems. He said it would be in the interest of the NC itself it were to take note of the new realities of the state, improve its performance and display some commitment to people. “Crutches would not take them very far as the people would no more accept proxies and those who sell their mandate for disempowering the state for their own interests” he said referring to the continued sell out of state resources by the NC in the shape of power projects and institutions like the J&K Bank.Former Minister Gh Mohiuddin Sofi and District president and MLA Lolab Abdul Haq Khan said the present government had stopped all the special programs started by previous government for employment generation and development in the district. They said the party would vociferously campaign for development and fight the government apathy.  

Address Kashmir Issue with a sense of urgency: NC

Kulgam, July 08 (VOS): While welcoming the Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary Level talks, the National Conference today said a sense of urgency was needed to resolve Kashmir issue.

In a party convention held at Chawalgam Kulgam in south Kashmir was attended by Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo, Parliament Member Mehboob Beg, Provincial President Ali Dar and NC Spokesman Tanvir Sadiq, the leaders reiterated that the party always has been a bridge between the Neighboring countries adding that a its time to address the political solution to the Kashmir issue with a sense of urgency.

Addressing the party workers Sakina Itoo, said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is striving to ensure that a political solution is found to address the aspiration of the people of the state.

“The day is not far when our aspirations will be fulfilled and autonomy will be restored” said Sakina

Lauding the efforts of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah she said the government will ensure that south Kashmir is developed and Kulgam will also given special importance.  Sakina said that the party has always worked for rights of common people and the people must also remember the sacrifices of NC leadership and must support the party,” she said.

In his address Dr Mehboob Beig said that New Delhi and Islamabad must include both mainstream and separatists groups in the dialogue process.
NC has always stressed upon New Delhi and Islamabad that all groups irrespective of their political ideology should be involved in the process of dialogue this will help in getting a broader consensus to address the issue of Kashmir” he said.
Beg said no one can guarantee of permanent peace and normalcy in the state unless all parties are involved “It is for larger interests for both neighboring countries to continue the dialogue but it should yield some result,” he said.
Provincial president Ali Mohammad Dar in his speech said that Right to Information Act, and accountability commission are the real weapons provided by state government to common people to fight against menace of corruption. He said that people must also remain vigilant about the policies of opposition parties who always try to weaken NC.

NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq, in his speech assured the gathering that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to resolve all the problems of the people, particularly the problem of unemployment on priority bases.

Lashing out at PDP, NC Spokesman said that they have always only played with the sentiments of the people and are still using the youth as fodder for their narrow political gains.

Tanvir added that active participation of youths in major political activities is a welcome step and the youth should come forward and take charge. Tanvir said Omar Abdullah is keen to encourage the youth to shape their destiny and young men and woman should come forward and help to rebuild the state.

Later a Fatiha Khani Majlis was organized at the graveyard of Ghulam Nabi Dar (Ex-MLA) in Kulgam on his sixth anniversary, who was killed on July 8, 2006. The party leaders highlighted the contributions of Dar and called him a honest and sincere social worker The Party leaders paid glowing tributes to him

The other leaders who were present on the occasion include, Sabdar Ali Beg, Imran Nabi son of Late MLA and other leader of the party.