August 31st 2024.
In a recent speech, Omar Abdullah, the vice-president of the National Conference, expressed his party's commitment to prioritizing the lifting of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir if they are voted into power. He also promised to put an end to the "unjust harassment faced by Kashmiri youth."
This is not the first time Abdullah has advocated for the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Act. In fact, back in 2012 when he was the chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, he had proposed to revoke AFSPA during his tenure. However, this proposal faced strong opposition from the Army.
During a recent gathering, Abdullah reiterated his party's dedication to fulfilling the promises outlined in their manifesto. He warmly welcomed prominent political activists into the party and stated that once in power, the National Conference-led government will prioritize the lifting of AFSPA. This, he believes, will put an end to the unjust harassment faced by the youth of Kashmir.
Abdullah also highlighted some other key points from their party's manifesto. He mentioned their commitment to streamlining the passport verification process, creating job opportunities for the unemployed, and ensuring that every household has access to essential resources, increased ration, and reliable utility services without putting a burden on their finances.
According to Abdullah, their manifesto truly reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that this is precisely why it was rejected by the BJP. He also issued a warning, saying that "every vote cast in favor of parties other than the National Conference and its allies will only serve to strengthen the BJP, regardless of the party chosen."
Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from the Ganderbal seat, made it clear that his party is not interested in winning the elections through fear tactics against the BJP. Instead, they have developed a comprehensive manifesto that addresses the concerns of various sectors such as artisans, unemployed youngsters, agriculturalists, transporters, hoteliers, traders, and more. Abdullah believes that their manifesto not only identifies the issues but also presents a clear roadmap to effectively tackle them.
The upcoming elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with the results to be declared on October 8. The National Conference and the Congress have already finalized a seat-share formula, with the parties contesting 51 and 32 seats, respectively.
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