Tag: National Conference

Farooq Abdullah

How Is Security Alright For Parliamentary Polls And Not For State Elections?: Farooq Abdullah

By LokMarg

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that it is disheartening to see that the Election Commission of India has decided not to conduct Parliamentary and Assembly polls simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that on one hand, the poll body has also decided to conduct Assembly elections in four states which will be coinciding with the Lok Sabha polls but Jammu and Kashmir has been denied this opportunity.

Speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, “On one side the Govt of India wanted One Nation, One Election and on the other side, they are holding State elections and parliamentary elections in four states, why is this (J-K) being denied? When every party wanted elections (in J-K) then what is the reason it is not being done?”

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar informed that polls in the Union Territory could not be held after taking inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir administration. He also said that additional forces are required to conduct simultaneous polls in J-K.

“During our recent visit to Srinagar and Jammu, the J&K Administration told us that two elections can’t be held at the same time due to more security requirements. Administration told us that there will be roughly 10 to 12 candidates for each assembly segment which means approximately, there will be 1,000 candidates in fray,” CEC Kumar said.

“This means each candidate needs to be given proper security cover and for that, there was more requirement of additional forces. The Commission is committed to holding Assembly polls in J-K soon after Lok Sabha polls when security forces will be available,” he added.

Questioning the observations made by CEC Kumar, Farooq Abdullah said, “If they say security is the reason, I do not think so. How is that security is alright for the parliamentary elections and not for the state elections?”

Earlier, the National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in December last year had questioned the delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding Assembly elections there, saying that people in the Union Territory want an elected government at the earliest.

“I hope that the government will understand the expectations and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hold the elections as soon as possible. The last elections were held way back in 2014 and people have been keenly awaiting another opportunity to get their fingers inked. The Elections Commission, itself, directed the central government to hold the elections by September next year,” Abdullah said.

Earlier, on December 11, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to take necessary steps for holding elections to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, next year.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two UTs. (ANI)

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People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)

Gupkar Alliance Was Unique, Sad That It Has Been Scattered: PDP Chief Mufti

By LokMarg

People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday expressed disappointment at the discontent prevailing in the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and said that without any consultations with PDP, National Conference went on to declare that it will fight from three Lok Sabha seats.

PDP chief said that it is sad to see the way the “Gupkar alliance has been scattered”.

Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Omar Abdullah himself said that they’re not in the alliance. We wanted The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to continue but everyone knows who ended this PAGD. We will talk to Congress as we are in the INDIA alliance and see how to go forward.”

Mufti further added that Jammu and Kashmir has become a laboratory for whatever is happening in the country and parties should have tried to remain united in the valley.

“PAGD was a democratic and unique alliance but the way it has been scattered is very disappointing. Jammu and Kashmir is a laboratory for whatever is happening in the country that is facing a big challenge and hence we should have made a collective effort. We (PDP) made a lot of efforts, but he (Omar Abdullah) declared that they’ll contest all three seats, without any consultation from us. They have made PAGD a joke. PAGD was the lost hope for people,” she said.

Responding to the remarks made by NC leader Omar Abdullah that ” a party (PDP) who secured third position in 2019 Lok Sabha elections is trying to claim stakes on some of the Lok Seats”, Mufti said that even Farooq Abdullah lost Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

“So does this mean that he can never fight for election again? Omar Abdullah also lost an election earlier. Victories and losses are part of it. This does not mean that one cannot fight elections,” he said.

Earlier today, NC leader Omar Abdullah said that it is not the sole responsibility of the National Conference to follow “coalition dharma”.

“On their raising day (PDP), they target NC. What type of coalition Dharma is this? Why don’t you ask them when they target NC on social media handles? It is not the sole responsibility of National Conference to follow coalition dharma,” he said.

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) is an alliance between the several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir campaigning for autonomy for the region by restoring special status along with Article 35A of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded in year 2020. (ANI)

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leader Sayed Mohammad Rafiq Shah BJP.

Former National Conference Leader Rafiq Shah Joins BJP

By LokMarg

National Conference leader and former Member of Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir, Sayed Mohammad Rafiq Shah, on Friday joined the BJP.

Shah was welcomed into the party by state BJP President Ravinder Raina.

Earlier this month, former Minister Mushtaq Bukhari joined the BJP at its headquarters in Jammu.

Incidentally, several prominent leaders of the National Conference, including Kathua district president Sanjeev Khajuria, had joined the BJP. Many supporters and district officeholders also made the switch from the National Conference to the BJP last month.

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah announced that his party will contest the upcoming parliamentary elections alone, a decision that is seen as another setback for the opposition INDIA bloc.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on seat sharing, the National Conference chief said, “As far as seat sharing is concerned, National Conference will contest alone and there’s no doubt about it.” (ANI)

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Farooq Abdullah

Centre Should Consider That Country Is Diverse: Farooq On UCC

By LokMarg

National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that the Centre before bringing the Uniform Civil Code should consider that the country is diverse.

Farooq Abdullah also extended his greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. He got emotional while explaining the significance of the day, which recognises Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice everything, including his son Ismail for Allah.
Meanwhile, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir extended his wishes to the pilgrims embarking on the Amarnath Yatra, commencing on July 1.

“They (Central Government) should consider that the country is diverse. People of all religions, languages, and ideologies live here, and as for Muslims, they have their Shariat laws too. The Government should think about any possible storm that would come if they take a step in this direction (implement UCC)” he said.

“I send my best wishes to the (Amarnath) Yatra. It is starting tomorrow, may Allah bless them with success in taking blessings from here,” he said.

“I wish everyone on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha and pray to Allah to accept our sacrifices, forgive our sins, and free Jammu and Kashmir from the difficult times it is facing now,” said the PDP chief.

“Today is the day when we make sacrifices in the name of Allah. We hope Allah accepts our offerings and relieves us of some of our problems, thus allowing us to live peacefully,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief, Mehbooba Mufti, also extended her greetings to everyone on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

Eid Al-Adha or Bakra Eid, which is being observed on June 29 this year, is a holy occasion also called the ‘festival of sacrifice’ and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Every year, the date changes as it’s based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western 365-day Gregorian calendar.

The festival is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go of past grudges and make meaningful connections with one another. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

Eid traditions and festivities vary around the world, and different countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival. (ANI)

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Russia-Ukraine war Farooq

Farooq Hopes Modi Will Be Successful In Ending Russia-Ukraine War

By LokMarg

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be successful in “ending the Russia-Ukraine war” that has stretched for nearly nine months.

The NC chief stated that the war has created havoc on the global economic situation.
“I am happy that India has got the presidency of the G20 Summit. It could be that India has the burden of all these countries. And I hope that the Prime Minister will be successful in ending the Russia-Ukraine war which has created havoc on the economic condition,” Abdullah said while talking to the reporters here.

The war that started in February this year has claimed the lives of thousands of people on both sides.

Abdullah’s statement comes after the G-20 communique in Bali echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as it said that “Today’s era must not be of war.”

PM Modi, in his statement to Putin in a bilateral meeting on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand in September this year, had said “now is not the time for war”, referring to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The G 20 communique said, “It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. This includes defending all the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and adhering to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and infrastructure in armed conflicts. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war.”

The NC chief further took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his “will talk to Kashmiri youth instead of Pakistan” remark during his rally in J-K, and said that India has a fight with Pakistan and that we will have to talk to the neighbouring country.

“The other thing is that regarding the problems that we have with our neighbour, it may be possible that the countries will find a solution to it. Home Minister says that he will talk to the youth and not Pakistan. But the fight is against Pakistan, not the children. I am tired of telling him to have talks with Pakistan. India has to talk to Pakistan at some point in time,” he said.

“There is nothing like radicalisation. We are fighting a low-intensity war. There is no other way,” Abdullah added.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, talking about the elections that are due to be held in the Union Territory, said that it is up to the Election Commission and the Centre to conduct the polls.

“As far as the elections are concerned, we don’t know when they will be conducted. It is my duty to come and talk to the people and bring out their condition in front of the parliament and the Centre. It is up to the Election Commission and the government of India when to conduct the elections,” he said. (ANI)

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