BJP, PAGD continue political sparring in DDC election campaigns

Srinagar: The BJP and the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) continued their political sparring by blaming each other for selling dreams to people and for the deteriorating ground situation in J&K, as part of their campaigns for the ongoing District Development Council elections.
People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of dividing the country on communal lines and exploiting the institutions, including courts, to further the party’s agenda.

She said the voting percentage for the DDC polls or any other elections has no bearing on the Kashmir issue. Otherwise, nine lakh troops won’t be present on the ground in J&K, she claimed. Mufti is also the vice-president of PAGD, a grouping of pro-India political parties formed to fight for the restoration of special status and statehood of J&K. The first phase of DDC elections on November 28, saw 52% voting across the J&K. The second of the eight-phased elections is scheduled on December 1.

On the other hand, BJP’s national spokesperson, Shahnawaz Hussain, who is on a campaign trail in Kashmir, referred to PAGD as the ‘Gupkar Gang’ which came together as they were scared of losing to the BJP. Hussain claimed that the voter turnout in J&K is the victory of democracy, as people here want development.

The BJP also released its 20-point election manifesto in Urdu in Srinagar in which it termed PAGD as ‘anti-national’. It says the abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) has unified the country and promised around 70,000 jobs to the youth.

“Till the time the Kashmir issue is not resolved through dialogue with the people of J&K and Pakistan… Article 370 is not restored… this place will remain a dream for them (BJP),” said Mufti in Srinagar. The PAGD vice-president said that BJP labels Muslims as Pakistanis, Sikhs as Khalistanis, activists as Naxals, Kashmiris as terrorists, students as Tukde Tukde Gang and women protestors as anti-nationals.

“Who is Indian then? The BJP has made a joke of democracy. The opposition fears retribution from agencies like NIA and ED, if they speak. They are using laws like UAPA to harass people,” said Mufti, who complained that the PAGD candidates aren’t allowed to campaign citing security reasons. She claimed that the Roshini scheme passed through legislation has been turned into a scam to hound people.

She said the National Investigation Agency arrested her party leader Waheed Para after he filed nomination for DDC elections. “Waheed is an ardent advocate of dialogue, reconciliation and democracy…but he was arrested despite his beliefs, so election is no solution to any problem,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hussain, while addressing a gathering in Kupwara district of northern Kashmir, attacked the PAGD for running their fiefdom and continuing dynasty politics in J&K. The regional parties in J&K are following the Congress in continuing the dynasty rule, he said.

“BJP is contesting elections for development but PAGD continues to manipulate the common masses. They are involved in scams like Roshini,” said Hussain. The BJP has started several schemes for the poor.

The BJP leader the party would safeguard the rights of people from all religions and no power on earth can stop anybody from saying Azaan— the Muslim call for prayer. He reiterated that Islam was a peaceful religion and way to prosperity in Islam is through peace and people like Hafiz Sayed and Osama bin Laden cannot dictate to Muslims as to which way to follow.