Farooq Abdullah lambasts BJP for vitiating atmosphere ahead of elections

JAMMU — National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the polarizing atmosphere for political gains, especially in the run-up to elections, saying this menace has to be fought to make a strong and united India.

“Atmosphere of communal divide and generating passions is not a conducive trend in politics,” Dr Farooq Abdullah said while addressing the party functionaries and workers at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhavan, Jammu here.

“Today, they are playing communal politics in view of the elections in Uttar Pradesh,” he, as per a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that hate is being spread here as well by those who just chant ‘Jammu, Jammu, Jammu, Jammu’.

“Jammu and Kashmir will remain a singular entity. Jammu is the gateway to Kashmir and Valley as a gateway to Ladakh. Attempts of sowing hate in Jammu have been made since 1947 but the perpetrators will not succeed. Those trying to generate a wedge will lead to the balkanization of the country,” he added.

He said if the ray of secularism from J&K generated a ray of hope during horrendous times decades ago, there is no reason why today’s challenges can’t be met now. He exhorted the cadre to renew their pledge of strengthening the cherished philosophy of secularism that guided the destiny of the people in this part of the country under the banner of the National Conference over the decades.

He also exhorted the cadre to assert their designated role in strengthening the bonds of harmony, amity and brotherhood, bequeathed by Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, who rejected the two-nation theory during the most difficult phase of history.

The NC President exhorted the workers to meet the challenge and fight the communal forces. “The National Conference has a chequered history of fostering brotherhood and foiling the divisive forces,” he said.

Referring to soaring prices of essentials and fuel, Dr Farooq Abdullah reminded the Prime Minister of his tirade against fuel prices when they were in opposition. “Now that the prices are touching the skies, nothing is being done, as a result of which poor people stand pushed to the wall,” he said, adding, the hike in fuel prices has escalated rates of all the essentials and the brunt is being borne by the poor.

Dr Abdullah lashed out at the Centre for muzzling the media, saying fear psychosis has been created as a result of which the media persons are fearful of objective reporting. He said the day is not far when the media will be in a position to report fearlessly.

National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta, senior leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, were among those who addressed the workers.