Kulgam (South Kashmir): Accusing Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to divide the state on communal and regional lines, CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the people to defeat such forces to maintain geographical unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over human right violations in the valley, Tarigami said that the justice system is very weak and it will be the priority of his party to ensure that those involved in such incidents should be punished without delay.
Addressing a rally in Kulgam town on Sunday, he reiterated his demand for withdrawal of Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Public Safety Act (PSA) and release of all those political and other detenues who are not involved in serious crimes.
Asserting that the major issue in the present elections is harmonious and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions in the state, Tarigami said the voters should judge the performance of each party and each contesting candidate and should cast their votes accordingly.
"A lot needs to be done for the development of infrastructure, provision of employment, regular power and drinking water supply," he said, adding that he will continue his relentless efforts and will develop Kulgam as a model district.
Tarigami, who is seeking re-election for the fourth time from Kulgam, criticised the National Conference and said that this party has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people and it has not been sincere as far as restoration of autonomy to the state is concerned.
"This became evident when NC joined hands with BJP at the centre and sacrificed autonomy for the ministerial berth. They did not even launch a strong protest when the autonomy resolution was rejected by the BJP government lead by Atal Behari Vajpayee," he said.
He recalled that it was Vajpayee, who in 1952 played a vital role in launching a movement against the special status and autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir.
"It was again he and his colleagues who did not even study the resolution in favour of autonomy adopted by J&K State Legislature and rejected summarily. This act of Vajpayee and BJP was an outright humiliation for the people of Kashmir," he said.
"It is un-understandable how the planks of autonomy and self rule by NC and PDP respectively can materialize; it is evident that these are mere slogans and a part of election propaganda," Tarigami said.
The CPI (M) candidate from Kulgam reiterated his party's stand to restore complete internal autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir as it was in 1952.
He expressed his dismay for not declaring the recent Kashmir floods as a national disaster and promised that he and his party will struggle for complete construction and rehabilitation of the flood affected.
(Abid Soffi is Managing Editor, 'Kashmir Pioneer'. He lives in Srinagar.)
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