BJP claims banning Jamaat was Mehbooba’s brainchild

Srinagar, Mar 14: With Lok Sabha elections round the corner, BJP Thursday launched its campaign attacking the former Chief Minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti claiming that proposal to ban socio-religious organisation, Jamaat-I-Islami, was originally moved by her when she was in power.
Senior BJP leader and MLC, Surinder Ambardar, while addressing party workers on Thursday at Sheri Kashmir Park here, said PDP “stands exposed”.
“At the time of 2014 elections, Jamaat-e-Islami had made some commitments with the PDP but the former didn’t fulfil them. PDP was quick to ask the central government to ban Jamaat in the state. People are best judges,” he declared.
Ambardar then claimed that his party believed in “equitable development of all regions”.
“When we were in the government, we ensured that all the regions get their due share. We gave boost to the development works across the state,” he said.
Speaking in the rally, national vice president and incharge J&K BJP, Avinash Rai Khanna said that they would contest the upcoming parliamentary elections on “Modi card and party’s achievements”.
“In 2014, we contested the election only on Modi card. In 2014, we had set the target of more than 272 seats. In this election, the target is more than 400 seats,” he said.
Khanna stated that that central government has been providing “uninterrupted funds” to the state.
 “A package of Rs 80,000 crores was announced for the state. We ensured development in every nook and corner of the state. Major developmental projects were initiated by our government. People should elect those who will ensure that their issues are raised in the parliament,” he said.
“Former MPs from the state have done nothing with regard to the issues of people,” he said.
To a question about Farooq Abdullah, Khanna said the National Conference patron “speaks in different tongues at different places”.
“He speaks something in Kashmir, something in Jammu and something in Delhi,” he added.
Khanna claimed the recent air strikes in Pakistan “have nothing to do with the elections”.
Khana said that they left PDP led coalition just because things were getting out of the hands of the government.
 “The lynching of Police officer, human rights violations were worrisome. We had no option other than to quit,” he said.
BJP’s state general secretary, Ashok Kaul while lashing at regional political parties said they placed proxy candidates in the municipal and Panchayat elections.
“The boycott was not visible on the ground. Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is full of proxy candidates. Congress contested the elections but earlier they were reluctant,” he said.