SRINAGAR: With the countdown for the Lok Sabha bye-polls in two Kashmir constituencies already begun, the political parties have started campaigning. On Sunday, PDP, Congress and the NC were seen interacting with their workers in south and Central Kashmir. Even the BJP had a meeting in Islamabad, reports said.
NC-Congress
In Srinagar, a high-level joint coordination meeting of National Conference and Congress leaders, legislators, segment in-charges and office bearers was held at National Conference Head Office on Sunday. It was attended by Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Ali Mohammad Sagar.
Besides senior leaders, legislators and assembly segment heads, youth leaders and office bearers of National Conference and Congress were also part of the meeting.
Leaders of both parties discussed the current political situation and also reviewed joint preparations in Srinagar and Anantnag Parliamentary Segments and said both parties would work in close quarters to ensure success of their candidates in Anantnag and Srinagar Parliament Segments.
PDP
A spokesman of the ruling PDP said its leaders held National Conference and Congress responsible for political instability and sufferings of the people. It hoped electorate will once again give their verdict against the troubling alliance.
The spokesman said generations have suffered because of the “unholy designs” of NC and Congress.
“It is the NC and Congress that have alienated Jammat-e-Islamia, Peoples Conference, Awami Action Committee and others who were once part of the election process,” the spokesman said. “The parties should be held accountable for this political error which has ever since left trail of destruction behind and the state continues to reel under violence and instability.”
The party’s candidate for by polls from Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Nazir Ahmad Khan said that the PDP deserves chance and support to take the course correction to its logical conclusion. He said the emergence of the PDP was a historical necessity and NC and Congress have become jittery and are bent upon continuing the uncertainty which they have historically thrived upon.He said the PDP represents the aspirations of the common masses and once voted to parliament he will become voice to people’s needs and demands.
“It is only PDP that has the potential and capability to clear the mess created by NC and Congress over the years,” Khan was quoted saying.
The event, according to spokesman was attended by a battery f top leaders and ministers including Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Education Minister, who Naeem Akhtar, Ghulam Nabi Lone and many other lawmakers.
Congress
Kick Starting election campaign from Dooru Verinag on Sunday, Congress had a public meeting in Veerinag and Saidiwara.
Speakers in the meeting asked people to support Mir in defeating the communal forces and manage a victory for secular forces. They said it was high time for the people to defeat the menace of RSS PDP combination, which is hell bent upon to divide people on religious and regional lines for the sake of power.
People have realized that the PDP BJP Coalition which is responsible for the agony and anguish of the people. They also talked about the party’s “betrayal and backstabbing” in war of 014 polls.
