Restoration of full Statehood is not a favour but the democratic right of the people of J&K People: Rattan Lal Gupta

• Says only a strong, people-centric government led by Omar Abdullah can ensure transparent governance and employment generation

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta on Monday said the biggest betrayal committed by the BJP was the downgrading of the historic state into a Union Territory. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir were stripped of their democratic and constitutional rights without their consent. Statehood was snatched away and even after repeated promises by the Prime Minister and Home Minister, its restoration continues to be delayed”.

While addressing one day conference of party funcationaries and workers of District Udhampur Urban, Chaired by Sunil Verma District President Udhampur Urban. Gupta asserted that restoration of full statehood is not a favour but the democratic right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “A full-fledged state with an elected government accountable to the people is essential for protecting jobs, land rights, business interests and the dignity of our people. Bureaucratic rule imposed from Delhi cannot understand the aspirations and sensitivities of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said the National Conference has consistently fought for the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees for the people. “Only a strong, people-centric government led by Omar Abdullah can ensure transparent governance, employment generation, protection of youth interests and restoration of democratic rights,” Gupta said.

Addressing the conference Mr Akash Verma Additional Spokesperson Jammu said that the growing support for the National Conference among young people reflects their desire for peace, dignity, employment and accountable governance. “The youth are no longer willing to be misled by slogans and theatrics. They want a future built on opportunity, justice and democratic empowerment, and they see that hope in the National Conference,” he said.

Addressing the conference Mr Sunil Verma urged the party functionaries to gear up the cadre for the upcoming Panchayats and Urban Local bodies elections. Addressing the conference Mr Abdul Gani Malik former minister and Zonal President Udhampur Reasi Zone, Pardeep Bali Provincial Secretary Jammu and Rakesh Singh Raka Vice President Central Zone they said that National Conference is committed equal development of all regions of J&K. National Conference has always stood for peace, secularism and democracy, they added.            

Among others who were present in the meeting included:  Mir Qasim, Gurmeet Singh Josh, Lal Chand Musafir, Sardar Havinder Singh, Amarnath, Mehboob Khan Qazi, Attah Mohd, Haji Saif Ali, Jitender Prasher, Khalid Hussain Malik, Ram Lal Bhagat, Gulam Hassan Kanth, Om Parkash Sanyal, Man Mohan Verma, Hakem Khan, Bishan Dass Sharma, Yash Pal Singh, Bhupinder Anthal, Bishan Dass Bhagat, Jai Chand Anthal and others.