Srinagar, Aug 18 (KNO): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra criticized National Conference (NC) over its signature campaign remark by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, terming it a futile exercise that only serves to normalize Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) August 05, 2019 agenda.
Speaking to reporters in Kupwara, Parra, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that despite the Valley recording a historic 70 percent turnout, people had given a mandate to NC to represent their aspirations in Parliament and at the Centre, not to go door to door seeking signatures.
“When the case is in the Supreme Court, how will a signature from Pulwama matter? What significance does it hold?” Parra questioned.
He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue, not just a matter of governance and accused NC of diluting the people’s mandate by focusing on other issues instead of prioritizing statehood and the restoration of Article 370.
“NC wants to bury the August 5 betrayal under roads, electricity and unemployment. They appear to be working on the agenda of BJP-RSS. An Assembly resolution condemning and opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and demanding full statehood is the need of the hour,” Parra said.
He reminded that NC had won a majority after four decades, but instead of reflecting the sacrifices of youth in prisons and families who lost loved ones, the party had failed to speak up where it mattered.
“We are not saying NC is responsible for August 5. But the fact remains that the people’s mandate was to raise their voice inside the Assembly and Parliament. Whatever can be done must be done there, not in villages. They should apologize to the people for failing them,” Parra said.
The legislator reiterated that J&K needs a political resolution and not symbolic campaigns. “We don’t want to create a new uncertainty but people want a resolution in the Assembly that will go to the Supreme Court. Nothing else will serve their aspirations”, he added—(KNO)