NC to foil machinations of those working against idea of secular, democratic India: Sadhotra

Lashing out at those undermining the contribution of the National Conference towards Nation building, Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today said the towering leader Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah rejected the two-nation theory of Mr Ali Mohammed Jinnah and tied destiny of Jammu and Kashmir with Gandhi Ji's and Nehru Ji's secular India because of his unflinching commitment to secularism and democracy.

Addressing meetings at KHERI in Jammu North Assembly Constituency and HANDWAL in Nagrota Assembly Constituency, Sadhotra said that those questioning the National Conference and the allies ofINDIA bloc were actually working against the idea ofIndia by playing divisive politics which is detrimental to the National interest.

He said the attempts of downplaying the role of the National Conference during most testing timesof history tantamount to ignorance of the realities of Jammu and Kashmir and when such attacks are hurledby those holding important positions are allthe more unfortunate anddeplorable.

The NC has been flag bearer of democracy in this part of the country apart from pioneer across the country in implementing path breaking initiatives. In this context, he referred to introduction of the Land Reforms Act and Panchayati Raj System to empower people at grass roots level and making tillers masters of the holdings they tilled. He said the contribution of National Conference towards peace, prosperity and development of Jammu and Kashmir besides upholding the dignity of the people has been stupendous.

He said the party has weathered political storms during most turbulent times and exuded confidence that the people in general and the National Conference cadre in particular will meet the challenges in future as well with courage and fortitude.

"National Conference will emerge like a phoenix because of its deep connect with the people, who are embrio of democracy", Sadhotra said.

Referring tothe overall politicalsituationpost abrogationofArticle 370andArticle 35A,MrSadhotra said the people are feeling let down with threat to their lands and jobs. The unemployment has multiplied manifold and developmental inertia has wrecked the erstwhile state, he added.

Onthis occasion,severalpublicspiritedactivists joinedthe NationalConference. Welcoming the new entrants, he said this is the only destination for all those desirous of serving the people. He said NationalConference iscommittedtowelfareofthepeopleandwillstrive forassuagingtheurgesand aspirations of the people.

He exhorted the people to vote and support INDIA bloc candidates S/Sh Raman Bhalla in Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, Omar Abdullah in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Mian Altaf in Anantnag-Rajouri Constituency and Rooullah in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency to save democracy and secular fabric of the country and the Constitution.

Prominent among those present on the occasion are Ch Bagh Ali Zonal Secretary (Central), Ch Razak Ahmad, Panch Ch Ghani, Kuldeep Raj Sharma, Ch Ghulam Ali, Ch Sardar Ali, Ch Mushtaq Ahmad, Bachan, Ch Sain, Ch Said Mohd, Ch Hanief and Ch Yaqoob.