Srinagar : National Conference President and MP Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday that allowing non-locals to vote in Jammu and Kashmir will be “disastrous”. He also asked people of J&K to start registering as voters to “thwart the underway efforts aimed to disempower” them.
Addressing a one day workers convention at Chitragam in Shopian, Farooq said that allowing non-locals to vote in J&K will be disastrous.
He said the powers that are pitted against National Conference are so insecure about support from genuine voters of Jammu and Kashmir that it has to import temporary voters to win seats. “None of these things will help them when the people of J&K are given a chance to exercise their franchise. It is for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir not to allow them succeed in their nefarious designs. It is for you to stop them from achieving that end. No one else can. If people come out and register as voters and subsequently vote in huge numbers, there is nothing that can touch our unique identity. But if all of us chose to stay in our homes, there is nothing that can save us. Therefore, this time the elections are not just about having elected governments, forming ministries. It is all about protecting our identity and dignity. We have to send such representatives to the legislature, who would not trade-off people’s dignity, and honour,” he said.
There is no substitute to NC, when it comes to protecting regional pride and dignity of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding that the party has long been seen as a tell-tale symbol of the region’s political and developmental aspirations. “Our people, whether they are Kashmiris, Dogras, Gujjars and Paharis, remain deeply attached to their sense of history and to their identity. People’s immense faith in our party is a reckoner of profound disillusionment of people with the policies of ruling dispensation. The best way to resist such forces is through a democratic process,” he added.
In his address, Showkat Ganaie thanked the people for making the convention successful and reiterated that the people of Shopian will stand shoulder to shoulder with JKNC leadership in protecting our rights and dignity.
He was accompanied by Party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah, Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, MP Hasnain Masoodi. The convention was convened and organised by District President Shopian Showkat Ahmed Ganaie. Among others South Zone President Dr Bashir Veeri, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Syed Tauqeer Ahmed, District Presidents Ghulam Mohi Ud din Mir, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Senior leaders Peer Mohammad Hussain, Sheikh Muhammad Rafi, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Shabir Ahmed Kullay, Adv Reyaz Ahmed Khan, Peerzada Feroze were also present on the occasion. (GNS)
