LS Polls: Sagar criticizes clubbing of polling stations

Srinagar, March 23: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar expressed dismay over the clubbing of polling stations in the ensuing elections saying that reckless decision will lessen the chances of wide spread participation of people especially in the remote areas.
Addressing segment in charges and party functionaries of Srinagar-Bugdam Parliamentary Constituency here at party headquarters Nawa- e -Subha, party general secretary said, “Polling stations should be established at their previous places. How will people travel long distances to cast their votes? The climatic conditions during early and late spring periods are mostly rainy.”
While exuding confidence into the party functionaries and workers, Sagar said, “Forces as inimical to the special constitutional status of our state will try their level best to go to any extent to weaken the voice of Kashmiris. The forthcoming election is of great importance to us, it provides us with an opportunity to show how passionately we care for our identity and unique status,” adding, “The communal forces of the country have a singular agenda in mind, which is to weaken our special status. However it is up to people now to not allow them succeed in their designs. The communal forces will try to use government machinery; money and muscle to influence the elections. Their Trojan horses and cronies in the state especially in Kashmir will leave no stone unturned to divide the voice of people. However I am sure that people have made it a point not to fall prey to their evil designs. The forthcoming elections provide us an opportunity to clean the country and the state of the communal yolk.”
While referring to the bans and arrest spree in Kashmir, Sagar said, “JKLF has renounced violence in early nineties. The ban will inadvertently close the space for peaceful dissent. The very timing of banning various socio-political organizations casts a shadow on the intent of Present BJP led central government. National Conference from day one believes in the institution of dialogue and debate. We as a party principally don’t believe in banning ideologies and groups; however we believe that by putting up counter narrative through discussion, debate affords a way forward in this direction.”
While addressing the meet party’s provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani asked National Conference functionaries and workers to gear up and put in their efforts to make party stronger at grass roots. “It is the youth that has to shoulder the responsibility of guarding the unique status of the state. The ensuing general elections are of supreme importance because it will decide the recourse of the state and country at large for next half a decade. So it is rather imperative for us to have a voice that could raise our issues in the parliament, for that we have to strengthen the efforts of Dr. Sahab.”
“Today we have National Conference versus all those forces as are hell bent to destroy our special character. The need of the hour demands us to forge unity and trounce the machinations of all those forces as are contriving to destroy our special status and unique identity,” he added.
“Sher-e-Kashmir used to say that Srinagar s a fortress of National Conference. We have to ensure and put in all our efforts to hoist the flag of National Conference in the ensuing Lokh Sabha and legislative assembly elections.”
Senior leader Mian Altaf while exuding confidence into the workers said that there is no substitute to National Conference in the state, he said, “Parties that are mushrooming every now, are here to implement the agenda of those forces as are inimical to the interests and integrity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We as the oldest dispensation of the state owe a sense of responsibility to all. We will continue to work for all sections of our state. Our idea of development is inclusive.”
Among others senior leaders Mubarak Gul, Ali Muhammad Dar, Pir Afaq, Salman Ali Sagar, Irfan Shah, and Haji Abdul Ahad Dar were also present in the meet which discussed issues pertaining to election strategy, and campaign.
Meanwhile general secretary condemned gutting of several houses and cowshed following an encounter in Shopian the other day in which several cattle died. Party functionaries including Shabir Kullay, Sheikh Rafi, Nisaar Ahmad urged the incumbent administration to recompense the losses to the effected people. “The cattle are the prized procession of any rural family, such incident will inadvertently affect the economy of villages,” they said.