Ali Asad
Srinagar, Jul 18: As the possibility of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir looms, political activity in the region is intensifying. Following the BJP and Congress, the National Conference (NC) is ramping up its efforts, commencing a series of public meetings in the Jammu division. The first of these meetings will take place on July 21, marking NC Vice President Omar Abdullah’s first visit to Jammu since the Lok Sabha elections.
Omar will address a public meeting at Ramlila Maidan in Gudha Salathia, part of the Vijaypur assembly constituency in Samba district. The Jammu provincial unit of the NC has been preparing diligently for this significant event.
NC’s provincial president, Ratan Lal Gupta, highlighted that the party’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections was particularly strong in the seven assembly constituencies of the Jammu division that fall under the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Gupta noted that NC candidates won with substantial margins in these areas, fueling the party’s optimism for the upcoming assembly elections.
“The party is rapidly expanding its activities in the Jammu division, becoming the voice of the people,” Gupta said. He also criticized the current government’s policies, attributing recent terrorist attacks in the Jammu division to these missteps.
In preparation for the visit, Aijaz Jan, the Provincial President of NC’s youth wing, conducted a meeting with youth workers from district Samba at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu. Jan emphasized the importance of adequate arrangements to ensure the success of Abdullah’s tour. “This is not just a gathering but a movement,” he declared, urging the youth workers to bolster the party’s foundation.
National Conference Youth Zonal Vice President Hameed Chaudhary addressed the meeting, highlighting the serious challenges facing the youth today and encouraging relentless effort to strengthen the party.
Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary of NC and a former minister, expressed grave concerns about the rising terrorist attacks in the Jammu division. He accused the NDA government at the Center of policy inaction regarding terrorism. “Laxity in dealing with the situation is not good for national security,” Sadhotra warned, challenging the government’s claims of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
