NC must clarify its political ideology: BJP

Jammu, Aug 29: BJP Jammu & Kashmir Spokesperson Rajni Sethi Saturday questioned the political ideology and direction of the National Conference (NC), asking whether the party genuinely stands for the national interest or seeks to take Jammu & Kashmir back towards instability and political uncertainty.
Rajni Sethi said that the political history of the National Conference raises serious questions about its approach towards separatism, autonomy and the constitutional relationship between Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of India. She pointed out that in 2000, the Farooq Abdullah-led NC government had passed an Autonomy Resolution in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly. According to her, the political thinking reflected in that resolution continues to find expression in the NC’s politics even today.
She said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir cannot forget the difficult phases of the past, including the mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits during 1989-90, the 2008 Amarnath land controversy and the widespread violence and stone-pelting witnessed in 2010. She alleged that the soft approach towards separatist elements during previous NC governments contributed to an atmosphere in which separatist forces gained space.
Rajni Sethi further said that the National Conference today appears to be struggling with serious internal differences. Public disagreements among its leaders, statements by party legislators and differences involving its MPs have exposed the internal crisis within the party. Instead of focusing on the aspirations and problems of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, the party appears increasingly occupied with its own internal political battles.
Referring to the recently publicised letter by Rahula Mahajan, she said that the questions raised therein regarding Farooq Abdullah, along with the suggestion that the BJP and National Conference stand on the same platform, are surprising. “Does the National Conference now consider the BJP’s ideology to be similar to its own?” she asked.
Referring to the recently publicised letter by Aga Saeed Rahula, she said that the questions raised therein regarding Farooq Abdullah, along with the suggestion that the BJP and National Conference stand on the same platform, are surprising. “Does the National Conference now consider the BJP’s ideology to be similar to its own?” she asked.
Rajni Sethi made it clear that there is a fundamental difference between the two parties. For the BJP, the nation, national interest, organisational values and its workers are paramount. She said the BJP has never compromised on the unity, integrity and national interests of India.
She also criticised the NC for what she described as entrenched family politics. From Sheikh Abdullah to Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, the top leadership of the party has remained largely within one family. She questioned whether a political party can truly strengthen democracy when opportunities for ordinary workers to reach its highest positions remain limited.
On the issue of autonomy and Article 370, Rajni Sethi said that repeated demands for a return to the pre-1953 position and restoration of Article 370 demonstrate that the NC continues to pursue its old political agenda. She asserted that the BJP will not allow any step that compromises India’s unity and sovereignty.
She also questioned the NC’s engagement with separatist voices during protests on the issue of statehood, asking whether inviting separatist figures to such platforms was an attempt to create political pressure on the Union Government.
Rajni Sethi said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir today want peace, development, security, employment, prosperity and dignity—not separatism, instability or family-centric politics.
“Before questioning the BJP’s ideology, the National Conference must clearly tell the people of Jammu & Kashmir what its own political vision is and in which direction it wants to take the Union Territory,” she said.
Rajni Sethi concluded that the BJP remains committed to taking Jammu & Kashmir forward through development, peace, democracy, national unity and progress—not through separatism, appeasement or family politics.