As the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir draw near, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its criticism of the National Conference (NC) for including promises of encouraging dialogue between India and Pakistan in its manifesto.
NC vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah unveiled the party’s manifesto, which comprises 12 guarantees, at an event in Srinagar on August 19. The three-phase elections for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly are set to commence on September 18.
Former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta condemned the NC for advocating dialogue with Pakistan. Gupta accused the party of misleading the people and spreading nepotism and terrorism.
Gupta was quoted by news agency ANI saying, “Even today, they are misleading the people. That’s how they have exploited people and perpetuated nepotism and terrorism. It is not their prerogative to engage in talks with Pakistan. The people of Jammu and Kashmir now prioritize security, unity, and integrity over politics of freebies.”
The NC manifesto’s mention of ‘encouraging dialogue between India and Pakistan’ sparked further criticism from the BJP.
Abdullah defended the manifesto’s stance on dialogue, stating, “We have always supported dialogue between India and Pakistan. As a responsible party aiming to be in government, we will do our best to facilitate such dialogue. There’s nothing wrong in advocating for peaceful communication.”
With Jammu and Kashmir preparing for its first assembly elections in a decade, the region is poised to select a government after over six years of Central rule.
The elections will be conducted in three phases starting on September 18, with subsequent rounds on September 25 and October 1. The results are scheduled to be unveiled on October 4.
Gupta further criticized the Farooq Abdullah-led NC for making promises that seem beyond their grasp, such as the release of prisoners and restoration of Article 370. He questioned, “How will they accomplish these tasks?”
The NC manifesto pledges to ‘strive to restore 370-35A and statehood as it was prior to August 5, 2019,’ while also prioritizing the release of political prisoners and detained youth.
