All parties except BJP invited: Farooq; Mehbooba urges all parties to join hands, says it was now beyond elections
Sheikh Danish
Srinagar, Aug 18: A day after Election Commission (EC) announced that non J&K residents including labourers, studies and those from security forces were entitled to cast votes in the upcoming Assembly polls, J&K's major political parties Thursday said it was a time to convene an All Party Meet to chalk out future course of action.
National Conference Chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti made separate appeals for APM. Dr Farooq right away convened the APM on Monday at his Gupkar residence.
Talking to media, Abdullah said that the All Party Meeting will be held at his Gupkar residence on Monday (11:00 AM) to discuss the latest ECI decision.
He said that all the parties except Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been invited to discuss future course of action.
Pertinently, PDP president earlier in a day had said that she contacted Dr Farooq and asked him to call an All Party Meeting to discuss future course of action.
Notably, the Election Commission has allowed non-locals, living ordinarily in J&K to cast votes in the Union Territory.
Addressing pressers, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Decisions are not being taken in the interests of the nation, but in the interests of BJP. We have been witnessing how the elections are being rigged everywhere in the country, even before and after the elections as well. The BJP is not going to change the country into Hindu Rashtra, but in BJP Rashtra,” she said, adding that the way Article 370 was removed unconstitutionally and Indian constitution was subverted, it is all in the interests of BJP as after the decision, the party sold J&K plot in rest of the countries.
“The situation is not different for Muslims only, but for every community including Dogra, Pandit as well,” she said, adding that the BJP despite beating the drums for Kashmiri Pandits, failed to ensure ease to them in casting the ballots and in the result of which they have now stopped voting.
“Despite spending a hefty amount for deradicalization, the decisions is being taken that will certainly radicalize the youth. The government cannot change the ground reality, but it needs to resolve the issue once for all,” she said.
Pitching for unity, she said “we need to get united after the latest onslaught.” She also appealed to all parties to join hands to fight tooth and nail.
“It's not about the legality but about the intentions behind it. The government is not following any rule,” she said when asked about the voting rights of non-locals.
She further said that she called Dr Farooq Abdullah to call an All Party Meeting even with those as well, with whom there are differences as the issue is not about the elections. “It is the time when we should focus on the Kashmir resolution more than elections as it has gone beyond elections now. Our youth are being radicalized. Brothers form Kashmir Pandit community is being killed, Police and security forces personnel are being killed, and everybody is suffering.”
