SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir NC leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah ignited controversy with allegations that the incumbent administration is coercing government employees to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Srinagar on March 7.
Abdullah took to social media, sharing a redacted document purportedly listing government employees who are being compelled to gather as early as 4:30 am amidst freezing temperatures to be transported to the rally venue by buses. The document allegedly indicates that department heads are threatening disciplinary action against those who fail to comply.
I will be in Srinagar tomorrow, 7th March to take part in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme. Various development works will also be dedicated to the nation. Notable among them are works worth over Rs. 5000 crore relating to boosting the agro-economy. Various…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 6, 2024
“The dictatorial J&K Govt has pulled out all stops to give the PM a crowd because the BJP can’t manage anything in J&K without the administration,” Abdullah expressed in a post, implying that the administration’s move aims to fabricate support for the Prime Minister.
Abdullah further asserted that private schools, including notable institutions like DPS, have been instructed to provide their buses to ferry employees to the rally.
On his visit, PM Modi is expected to unveil several development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore and address a public meeting in Srinagar’s refurbished Bakhshi Stadium.
“Tomorrow the godi media & agencies will be gushing about the “historic crowd” gathered to hear PM Modi in Srinagar. What they will conveniently forget to mention is that almost none of the people there will be attending of their own free will,” Omar added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi tweeted about his Kashmir visit. “I will be in Srinagar tomorrow, 7th March to take part in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme,” the tweet said. “Various development works will also be dedicated to the nation. Notable among them are works worth over Rs. 5000 crore relating to boosting the agro-economy. Various works linked with tourism will also be dedicated to the nation.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana lauded the unprecedented support of visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the cooperative movement across the country, saying this has paved the way for its robust growth over the years.
Speaking at a lecture event ‘Prosperity through Cooperatives, organized by JKUT BJP Cooperative Cell here this afternoon, Rana said that the Prime Minister’s steadfast commitment to empowering grassroots institutions and promoting cooperative enterprises has reinvigorated this vital sector, driving socio-economic progress across the country in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular during the past five years.
Rana said Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas reflect the spirit of cooperative and collective culture that has not only been the driving force for inclusive growth but also a motivation to work as a team to contribute towards India’s enviable growth story. He referred to the immense potential of cooperatives in fostering growth and rural development, saying the cooperative movement can become a game changer in promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance. He said the BJP-led government at the Centre has provided a strong impetus to the cooperative sector, enabling it to emerge as a key driver of rural prosperity. This movement is being promoted and carried forward by the Union Minister for Home and Cooperatives Mr Amit Shah in a mission mode, he added.
“While the BJP is for encouraging the cooperative movement in a big way, the Congress has caused enormous damage to the cooperative spirit by using it as a political tool in the sixties”, Rana said, adding this has impacted and retarded the forward movement of this pivotal sector. However, the ethos behind the cooperative movement remains intact and there is no denying fact that this sector has a bright future, he said.
