NC unleashing false propaganda against BJP for fielding migrant candidates

Jammu, Oct 03: Unable to digest the success of BJP candidates in the ongoing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections, National Conference (NC) is resorting to false propaganda to provoke and mislead the electorate, accused Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson while briefing the media men at Party Headquarters today along with colleague Spokesperson Balbir Ram Rattan.

Brig Gupta said that regretfully NC has not changed its mind set about the Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to leave the Valley during 1989 when the government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah failed to look after their security and their lives were under constant danger due to threats from the extremists. Living in exile in Camps in Jammu, they were dubbed as “Migrants.” Today, when the Kashmiri Pandits are exercising their democratic right and contesting ULB elections, NC has unleashed a false propaganda that BJP is fielding only Migrant candidates and ignoring the locals which is far from truth. Brig Gupta clarified that BJP has fielded only 36 migrant candidates while rest are all locals belonging to Kashmir. True to its style of politics, NC is trying to create a communal divide by twisting the facts.

NC is also blaming the BJP for fielding candidates knowing fully well that there will be no contest and the decision to this effect was taken by the BJP only after the NC had announced boycott of the elections. Exposing the NC’s lie, Brig Gupta clarified that BJP was the first political party to welcome the elections and had announced that it would field candidates in all constituencies. The fact is that NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah had too announced his party’s participation in the elections but sensing imminent defeat threw in the towel without contesting by announcing boycott of the elections.

NC is also questioning the relevance of the elections on the plea that large number of candidates have won unopposed or uncontested. Brig Gupta drew the attention of the media persons to 1951 Constituent Assembly elections conducted by NC under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah who wanted to make J&K “a single party state.” “Sheikh blatantly misused power and authority to ensure that no Praja Parishad candidate was allowed to contest by disqualifying and rejecting their papers to avoid contest and won all 75 seats uncontested. If that election was relevant, with what face NC is questioning the relevance of these elections. NC owes an explanation to the people of the state,” demanded Brig Gupta. At least this time a level playing field was offered to all but the fear of certain defeat forced the Abdullahs to announce boycott, asserted Brig Gupta.

Exposing the NCs double game, Brig Gupta took the party leadership to task for back door meetings with PDP for government formation. Nothing has changed with regards to 35A for which these parties announced the boycott but lust for power is compelling them to once again ditch the Kashmiri Awam for their personal gains, accused Brig Gupta.