‘Game changer’ Sikh voters remain divided

Assembly Polls

Community feels ‘dejected’ over neglect in election manifestos  

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 1: Feeling dejected and neglected by major political parties for making ‘no mention’ of community in their election manifestos, the ‘game changer’ Sikh voters are divided over supporting a particular party in the assembly elections.

The community members in two regions of the state viz Jammu and Kashmir hold different stand about their support.

While the Kashmir based Sikh leaders claim to support any political party that may redress important Sikh issues, whereas the Sikh leaders in Jammu are yet to decide the basis for extending support.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that Sikhs in Kashmir are feeling being fooled by major political party and will support only a party or candidate that promises early redressal of community issues.

Hinting at giving support to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raina said that he had approached Congress and National Conference to moot over the issues of the community, but none gave heed to his demands. “These parties even did not mention our issues in their election manifesto, which is unfortunate,” he said and added that PDP is the only party that promised to mitigate the issues of the community and has mentioned same in its election manifesto.

He asserted that some political parties (without naming any), are dividing Sikh community by making false promises. “Some political parties have hired touts from the community, by promising them personal benefits,” he maintained and added that PDP has also orally promised the community of other benefits, besides those entertained in the manifesto.

Similarly, Dr Joginder Singh Shan, president, J&K All Indian Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) said that the prevailing politics in the state has divided the community. “Major political parties like BJP, NC and Congress have deceived Sikh community by not entertaining their (Sikhs) issues in election manifesto,” said Shan, adding that they hail PDP for understanding the problems of the community.

“Sikhs in Kashmir will support PDP, as it was the only political party in the state that considered the vital issues of the community,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu based Sikh leaders have different considerations over supporting a party or candidate, as they believe that all political parties have befooled the community.

“We had extended unconditional support to Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), but the party denied ticket to our desired candidate, which left community in disarray, as no other political party or candidate in the state holds credibility,” said  a District Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (DGPC) member wishing anonymity.

He asserted that parties like PDP had earlier also promised policies for welfare of the Sikh community, but at ground level nothing changed. “Election manifesto of all these political parties, including PDP remained unchanged for last many decades, but practically all parties deceive and fool community members for votes,” he said.

He added that since   BJP denied ticket to their desired candidates, they have reserved their final call about support.

 “In next two or three days we will hold meeting in this regard and declare open support to any party, which is not yet decided,” he maintained.

Congress thanks JK people for participating in Indian Democracy

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 29: Appreciating the people of Jammu and Kashmir for making first phase of assembly elections a huge success by registering ‘record’ 71.8 percent voting, despite ‘boycott call from separatists’, Congress national spokesperson and MLA-Haryana, Randeep Singh Surjewala today said that same enthusiasm is expected in the remaining four phases.

While addressing media, here Surjewala said that he is hopeful that voters will turn up in large numbers in the remaining phases as well. He said, “Indian National Congress (INC) likes to thank the people of J&K for their valour, bravery and effective participation in the first phase of polls, thereby defeating the designs of those exporting terror from across the border and also the separatists who have given a call for the boycott of the festival of democracy.” he added that INC salutes the spirit of patriotism, sacrifice and valour of people of the state.

“We are hopeful that same enthusiasm will be maintained to further strengthen the democracy by way of mass participation of three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in the next four phases of polling,” he said.

He said, unlike other political parties, INC is the only party to have ‘handy’ blueprint of the state’s holistic development.

“Keeping in view the overwhelming response of the people, INC has given out a detailed blueprint of development to the people of the state in its manifesto,” he added.

Surjewala said that the people of the state are intelligent enough to elect representative on the basis of merit and will not get swayed away by ‘one man party’.

360 degree turn on Article 370 exposed BJP’s deceptive policy: Congress

‘Party holding secret meetings with separatists to achieve Mission 44+’

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 29: Accusing Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) of taking ‘360 degree’ turn over Article 370 by keeping it out of party’s ‘vision document’, Congress national spokesperson and MLA-Haryana, Randeep Singh Surjewalla today said that this reflects  that party  was  following  Double speak, Deception and Dithering (3D) policy to befool voters .

Talking to reporters here today, Surjewalla said “In the last 67 years, since independence, the Bhartiya Janta Party is ranting about abrogation of Article, but has never taken clear stand on the issue.” He added, “I feel BJP has all these years  resorted  to Double speak, Deception and Dithering policy on the issue of Article 370  .”

Holding BJP and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi accountable for made promises, Congress national spokesperson said that the people of the state as well as country wants to know party’s stand on the issue, “As they have entered J&K politics by ranting about Abrogation of the Article 370,” he said and added that on one side BJP leaders like Narendra Modi, LK Advani, MM Joshi and MOS in PMO, Jitender Singh proclaim to abrogate Article 370, but on the other hand party has not mentioned this issue in its vision document.

He said that BJP keeps on changing its stance on the Article, “Before coming to power at center the party had raised issue of abrogating Article 370, but after coming in power they took 360 degree turn and are now saying that BJP will hold dialogue on it,” said Surjewalla, adding “The time, venue, aspects, position and approach of the dialogue is not yet known to anybody, not even to BJP leaders.”

He maintained that the Double speak of the BJP is evident from the fact that after every kilometer, they change their stance about ‘so called’ vision for the J&K. “They claimed to abrogate article 370, but when faced heat from within the party and criticism across the valley, they dropped the issue and decided to hold dialogue about it,” Spokesperson said.

He maintained that when people asked BJP to make clear stand on the issue, they preferred to put it in cold storage.

“Prime Minister and other senior leaders of the BJP addressed many rallies in J&K, but none of them talked about Article 370, which shows how they dither and deceive people on fake promises,” said Surjewala and added that they have adopted same policy to lure voters in Ladakh, wherein BJP claimed to confer Union Territory (UT) status to Leh, but on reaching Kargil, they say making Leh UT is not possible.

He further said that the people of J&K as well as India are keen to know BJP’s stand on the separatists.

“The BJP is unpredictable, as it cancelled high level talks with Pakistan because later went to meet separatists, but now for political gains same BJP is appeasing separatists by holding secret meetings with them,” said Congress spokesperson.

He said “Holding secret talks with people like Sajad Lone and Er Rasheed, who do not respect Indian constitution and are hell bent to divide state, shows that the party can go to any extend to achieve Mission 44+  ,” he said.

  Surjewala also said that the people of J&K want to know “Why BJP and Prime Minister rejected the package meant for the one time settlement of Refugees in the state,” he said, adding that the people want answer on this very sensitive issue.

Taking dig at the foreign policy of the present government, Congress spokesperson said that in the last six months Pakistan has been continuously violating ceasefire agreements, in which more than 40 people including civilians of J&K had been killed, but BJP has turned ‘blind eye’ to it.

  “Due to belligerent approach of the central government, Russia, once the best friend of India, has promised Pakistan of supplying Arms, which is again not in the favour of J&K” the Congress spokesperson added “This is sheer strategic and diplomatic failure  of the present government” he claimed.

Congress also alleged that BJP can only talk, but at ground level they are ‘big failure’. “They keep on claiming to end dynasty raj, while giving ticket to the brother of MP Jugal Kishore reflects its double speak ,” asked Surjewala.

NPP releases Election manifesto

‘Will seek amendment in Article 370, delimitation, KPs’ return’

 PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 26:

 Jammu Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Wednesday released its manifesto here promising to seek amendment of Article 370, delimitation of Assembly constituencies, safe return of Kashmiri Pandits and new mode of recruitment, besides settlement of Jammu migrants and ‘POK refugees’.

The party also said it would give top priority to the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction process in the flood-affected areas of the state.

While releasing the party manifesto, party Patron, Prof Bhim Singh said that the JKNPP stands for amending article 370, which is an ‘impediment’ in the center-state relations.

"If elected to serve, the party will seek the amendment in article 370 as per the need and viability of the article, so as to provide benefits to the people of all the regions of the state” said Prof Bhim Singh adding that the party would also strive to end ‘discrimination’ among the three regions of the state.

"JKNPP believes in equitable development of all the three regions of the state. A development path reflects the party's vision of the inclusive and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state," he maintained.

He said, Panthers Party stands for the delimitation of the constituencies, which was promised in 2002 during Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the then coalition partners.

“The delimitation of the constituencies was promised in 2002 and was finalized under the chairmanship of Dr. Manmohan Singh, but due to unknown reason same could not be implemented,” said JKNPP patron, adding the party stands for delimitation of constituencies, so that each constituency shall get equitable representation.

The party manifesto further promises the safe return of the Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland Kashmir. “Panther Party pledges for the safe, secure and dignified return and rehabilitation of all Kashmiri Pandits,” said Prof Singh.

He further maintained that the party vows to ensure respectable settlement of militancy affected migrants of Jammu region, who were forced to flee from Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda.

“The manifesto also kept provision for the settlement of Pakistan refugees, who had been settled by the J&K government headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah during 1947-48” he said and added   “The problem of rehabilitation of the Refugees from PoK deserves urgent attention, so that their agony is brought to an end forever.”

Besides this the manifesto also proposed provisions of new mode of recruitment, ST status to Paharis/Kolis, empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), referendum in Gilgil-Baltistan and ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)’, protection of civil liberties, no detention without trial, welfare of women and farmers and crusade against corruption, besides restoration of Sialkot-Jammu Railway line, railway link to connect Jammu with Poonch and Kishtwar, regularization of all daily wagers and free electricity for farmers have also constituted the election manifesto released for assembly election 2014.

BJP releases ‘Vision Document’

Clings to Development; puts Article 370 in cold storage

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 27: Amid its wavering stand on Article 370 and other contentious issues, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Thursday preferred    ‘development’ in the party’s ‘Vision Document’ released here today.

 Based on 4-point Modus-Operandi, the BJP ‘Vision Document’ underlies TIME model focusing on Tourism, Infrastructure, Modernization and Empowerment.

However, the party leaders, at the release of the ‘Vision Document’, said that certain agendas of the party would be separately released in the form of ‘Election Manifesto’.

  “We released vision document based on development, which is need of the hour, but certain things which party high command has discussed or earlier made public would remain intact and forms basic ideology of the Party,” BJP MP and J&K in-charge, Avinash Rai Khanna responded to the queries about Article 370   .

 The   document also promises that the party would reserve five seats for refugees from the ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’ out of the 24 seats kept vacant for the PAK.

"The party would reserve five seats for the refugees out of 24 left vacant in the assembly for PoK and three for the displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 seats earmarked for the Kashmir valley," he said.

The document also promises empowerment of women by giving them 33 percent reservation in Legislative Assembly and Council, besides property rights to children of daughters of the state married to the   non state subject.

The party in the ‘vision document’ also claims  that the  first major work at hand would be to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims of the fury of unprecedented rain fall in the first week September this year.

While giving details, Member Parliament and BJP state unit president, Jugal Kishore Sharma said that Tourism would get focused attention as it is the mainstay of the state’s economy.

 “BJP envisions to develop tourism of the state on the lines of Switzerland to make it preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists,” MP said.

  Jugal claimed  that the party has focused on the key areas of all the three regions that need immediate attention. The party’s vision document focuses on the problems of house boat owners, up-gradation of Gulmarg Ski Resort, Harnessing Heritage tourism, construct Chadar Road in Ladakh, open Kailash-Mansarovar road, Extending rail link to Ladakh via Bilaspur (HP) and encouraging tourist projects in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda and Kargil.

He further said that the state needs world class infrastructure, which is commensurate in quality and quantity with party’s goal of making J&K a preferred global tourist destination.

  “Environment restoration, Connectivity, Energy, Information Technology, Water Conservation, Disaster Management and Restoration of Ecological Balances forms the major part of vision document”, he said.

He further said that the party document seeks to create network of feeder roads, reopening of Basholi-Sarthal-Bhaderwah Road, surface connectivity to each village with population of 1000 in plains and 500 in hilly areas, Tunnel at Khardungla, Air link to Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar and Kargil, besides improvement of drip irrigation, 24X7 electricity and power supply, optimum use of water resources, develop Kashmir as IT Industry like Silicon valley, implement RTE, develop Jammu-Srinagar as smart cities, Rain water harvesting, comprehensive flood prevention plans and afforestation across the state.

The ‘vision document’ of the party further seeks Modernization, ‘which shall be based on the foundation of good governance, corruption free and responsive government, besides advancement of government offices to make them more efficient and systematic and revival of industries with single window clearance system.

The party also said that it would reserve five seats for refugees from the ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’ out of the 24 seats kept vacant for the PAK.

"The party would reserve five seats for the refugees out of 24 left vacant in the assembly for PoK and three for the displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 seats earmarked for the Kashmir valley," he said.

The document also promises empowerment of women by giving them 33 percent reservation in Legislative Assembly and Council, besides property rights to children of daughters of the state married to the   non state subject.

The 8-page vision document further focuses on agriculture and horticulture, irrigation, industry, trade, commerce and health. It also talks about employment, Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes, urban and rural development and free of cost education to poor, SC/ST/OBC students.

For farmers, BJP seeks to create a network of state of the art Mandis with support facilities, besides crop insurance, cheap credit and cold storage chains, besides, abolition of rationing of fertilizers and implementation of ‘Saffron Revolution’.

Seeking a clear mandate, the punch-line of the manifesto is ‘Hamare Sapanon Ka Jammu Kashmir’, which also promises empowerment of ex-servicemen and martyr’s families, settlement of refugees and border residents, besides resettlement of Kashmiri pandits.

Huge cache of liquor seized in Chenab valley

Assembly polls

‘360 liters of local wine, 75 IMFL bottles and 120 beer Bottles peddled into region’

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 24: Election flying squads and police teams have seized several hundred liters of wine from across Chenab Valley, reportedly peddled in the region to lure the voters on the polling day.

“The teams  deployed to monitor and check the  Model Code  of Conduct violations, in the past some days, have seized a huge quantity of liquor, suspected to be meant for distribution among voter(s) in the Chenab Valley, which is going to polls tomorrow” highly placed sources said.

According to sources in the election offices, the teams seized over 360 liters of local wine (frooties), besides 75 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and 120 bottles of beer, probably peddled in Chenab Valley to influence voters.

They said that the police and election monitoring teams have recovered over 600 pouches of local wine, each 250 ml and 25 bottles of IMFL, besides 40 beer Bottles from two constituencies of Doda district.

They added that from two constituencies of Kishtwar, police have recovered 400 pouches of local wine, each 250 ml, besides 20 bottles of IMFL and 50 beer Bottles.

 Similalry from two constituencies of Ramban, over 440 pouches of local wine, each 250 ml and 30 bottles of IMFL, besides 30 beer Bottles have been recovered.

They further said that the police had seized rupees over seven lakh in three districts, which were  released after proper scrutiny.

Talking to Greater Kashmir SSP Doda, Sharief Chouhan admitted that since the election announcement for the first phase, they have recovered liquor, ‘illegally’ being peddled in the region, but whether it was for the purpose of influencing voters or selling is yet to be ascertain. “We are investigating the purpose for which the liquor was being peddled into the region. All the liquor was seized from vehicles, but detained persons did not name any political party,” he said and added that they had seized Rs 1.42 lakh from a businessman, who was   released after proper investigation.

Meanwhile, District Election Officer (DEO) Kishtwar, Mohammad Javed Khan told Greater Kashmir that they have tightened noose around suspected elements  and  seized liquor, besides cash being transported in the region.

“We are frisking every vehicle to ensure that no material ‘offensive’ to MCC is brought in the region. In the past some days we have seized some liquor, besides cash of Rs 4.65 lakh, which was   released after scrutiny,” said he, adding “We have put all possible machinery in function to ensure smooth polling in the region.”

Similarly, DEO Ramban, Farooq Shah Bukhari said that over 100 liters of liquor was seized by the police, but the purpose of transporting liquor in the region is not yet clear. He said that they were receiving frequent complaints regarding violation of MCC, but on investigation 95 percent of the cases turn baseless.

The DEO further said that to ensure smooth and fair elections they have dispatched polling teams to their respective booths.

Banned cable TV in Banihal resumes functioning’

DEO indicts ‘erring’ operators under RPC-171H for telecasting without consent

P S BALI

Jammu, Nov 23: The banned Cable operators in Banihal have resumed functioning after they got stay over the ‘ban orders’ of election officer, from the high court. However District Election Officer (DEO) indicted ‘erring’ operators under RPC-171H for telecasting political activities without consent of the candidate.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, DEO Ramban, Farooq Shah Bukhari said that although the cable operators got stay over the order and have resumed functioning after twelve days of ban, but charges on them of violating MCC stands intact.

However, for ‘breaching’ MCC earlier, the cable service operators in the Banihal have been charged under RPC-171H for telecasting political activities without consent of the candidate.

DEO said that before indicting cable operators under RPC-171H, they have also served notice to candidate to explain his stand in the case. “The candidate denied any knowledge of the issue and said that the cable operators have been telecasting rallies and other activities without his consent,” said DEO and added that though the candidate did not accept to have any knowledge about the telecast, but they have decided to treat it as an advertisement and add the amount into the expenditure of the candidate.

“The owners of ‘banned’ Khan Digital Vision (KDV) and Friends Networks, local cable providers at Banihal have assured us that they will conform to the guidelines of the MCC,” said Bukhari, adding that the seized equipment of the service operators have been returned as per orders of the court.

Pertinently local ‘unauthorized’ cable operators in Banihal had been banned for giving non-stop coverage to Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, by telecasting his rallies and other political activities continuously even after being warned several times by the concerned Returning Officer.

Both the cable operators had been giving selective publicity to the INC candidate from Ramban, who is also sitting MLA and were running without prior advertisement certification from Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

Meanwhile, the Election Commission also sealed a local cable network in Kathua after its operator failed to come up with a "satisfactory answer" to a show cause notice issued to it in connection with a "poll code violation".

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP for playing ‘divisive’ politics

Says coalition partner NC slowed central projects  

PS Bali/ M M Parvaiz

Ramban, Nov 21: Congress President, Sonia Gandhi today slammed Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for ‘dividing’ people on the name of region and religion, besides taking advantage of flood affected people by making ‘false’ rehabilitation promises to garner votes.

While addressing a public gathering at Chanderkote-Ramban, Sonia Gandhi said that polls are taking place at a time, when people of the state are yet to come out of the devastation caused by floods and “I feel very bad about discussing politics”.

“Elections are taking place at a time when the people of the state are recovering from the flurry of natural disaster (floods). I am very happy to see people faced the flurry with great courage and are still determined,” she said adding that certain political parties like BJP are taking undue benefits out of floods by making ‘false’ rehabilitation promises with the people.

“I am proud of the people of J&K for facing disaster on their own,” she said and added that it is the duty of the government to provide basic facilities to the people and “this duty augments when people are in distress due to natural calamity,” she lamented.

Speaking at event, she said that to ‘lure’ voters of the state, BJP leaders visited state during floods and promised the sky but did not give anything. Even what the state (government) asked was not given.

She said that BJP is playing politics of region and religion by dividing people. “BJP   can change colour anytime. They can stoop to any level to achieve their ‘idealistic’ mission,” Sonia said and added that the people of the state can defeat these ‘communal’ forces by voting for Congress, which stands for ‘unity and communal harmony’.

“Congress has an old relation with people of the state and has received an overwhelming support from the state, especially hilly regions,” she said.

Highlighting the steps taken by UPA government   for Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi said Congress, during its tenure, always believed in equitable development of all the three regions of the state viz Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

 “We feel that poorest of the poor deserve  to live with dignity and Congress always strived to provide that right to its citizens,” Sonia said adding that Congress brought Food Security Bill in the state to ensure food for everyone, but due to ‘lethargic’ approach of coalition partner, National Conference , same could not be implemented in the state. She also blamed NC of going slow in carrying forward the developmental projects sanctioned by UPA for the state.   

“Congress has done lot of work for the people of the state and has envisaged lot more for holistic development of the state.”Gandhi said and added that majority government of Congress can bring sea change in the overall scenario of the state, by generating jobs, providing higher education at door steps, besides empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and good governance, which would form major components of the congress manifesto for assembly elections.

Earlier she appreciated and expressed gratitude towards people of the Chanderkote and adjoining areas for reaching the venue, despite difficult terrain.

BJP Mission 44+ a failure since beginning: Ambika

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 19: Accusing Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) of befooling the people of state over the ‘sensitive’ issue of abrogating Article 370, Chief of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Saif-ud-Din Soz today said that it is impossible to scrap the Article as it forms basic structure of the Indian constitution.

Addressing a press conference, here, Soz said that Article 370 was a bridge between Indian Union and the state of Jammu and Kashmir, whereas any attempt to abrogate same will be equivalent to violation of the basic structure of the constitution.

He said, “To amend Article 370 parliament needs to constitute an original constituent assembly, which is next to impossible. So, BJP is just playing with the sentiments of the people to garner votes”. He added that BJP is wholeheartedly putting efforts to abrogate article 370, but they know that this exercise is futile, as constitution of India has made it impossible to touch basic structure.

He said that the BJP has kept abrogation and debate on Article 370 in its manifesto ‘only to appease RSS’, which is making inroads in the state to ‘disturb the secular fabric’ of the state.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion All India Congress Committee, General Secretary and J&K In-charge, Ambika Soni said that BJP has created a kind of utopia in the state and their Mission 44+ is ‘nothing more than an immature assertion’.

“In haste central ruling party announced Mission 44+, but they are now in utter mess about how to achieve it. Hence they are resorting to all possible alternatives to accomplish the mission, which is evident from their communalism and regionalism of politics,” she said and alleged that to accomplish this mission, “the party is buying academicians, professionals and prominent faces, who had some personal following, to contest on their ticket, to make impression that people are impressed by the ideology of BJP in Muslim dominated regions,” she added.

She asserted that BJP is holding secret meetings with those people, whom it always considered adverse to Nation. “BJP always criticized UPA for improving relations with certain section of the society, but now when they are in power they are following the line of UPA,” Soni said and added that the Mission 44+ of BJP is a big failure and it was failure since from beginning.

She further said that Congress always believed in overt politics and whatever it did in last two governments was all in public. In 2002 and 2008 congress kept onetime settlement of refugees in its manifesto and for this purpose, a series of meetings were held to reach some consensus with coalition partners. “After mooting over the issue for long, a complete and comprehensive package for one time settlement of refugees was submitted to the state government under the leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad,” she said and regretted that when state government proposed same to present regime, it was declined by the government at center.

She claimed that like 2002 and 2008, the congress will continue its efforts to provide equitable development of all the three regions of the state. “We strive to make people of every region to realize that they are living in a separate state,” she said.

She bewared people of the state from divisive politics of the BJP and said that BJP double speaks, which was exposed in its recent appeasement approach, when some of its senior leaders had announced to contest independently. “BJP is promising something to everyone to maintain their support,” she added

Congress discloses major components of election manifesto

Refugees, equitable development and Food Security top agendas   

P S Bali

Jammu, Nov 19: Congress has decided to make implementation of Food Security Act in Jammu and Kashmir as main election plank in its manifesto, which the party is going to release shortly.

Talking to reporters, here Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress chief campaigner in J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that Good governance, Transparency, better work culture, food security, refugees settlement, empowering PRIs and eradication of corruption from the state will be important components of the election manifesto.

He said that like 2002 and 2008,  Congress has kept all ‘pro-people agendas in its manifesto’.

“Last year Sonia Gandhi raised the issue of introducing Food security bill to provide economical food grains among the poor population of the country. On similar lines, we have kept food security as an important plank of our election manifesto, which would be to provide food to all,” said Ghulam Nabi Azad, he added that the other important component of manifesto would be to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

“Within one year after coming in power, Congress has pledged to strengthen PRIs at Panchayat and district level. We have also vowed to empower local saprances and panches to develop rural areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, taking a dig at other political parties of creating ‘confusion’ among masses, Azad said that few political parties are ‘riding horse in the air’, while as ‘BJP is riding Missile’ by making false promises to befool people.

He said, “We are very much confident to achieve more seats as compared to previous assembly elections, as we don’t compromise with our policies and set goals.” He added that NC-PDP is polarizing in Kashmir, whereas BJP is doing same in Jammu by dividing people on the name of region and religion.

He said RSS is active in the state, especially Chenab Valley and are disturbing the secular fabric of the region.

“My this visit to Chenab valley was altogether different, as in my long political career, I never found a Hindu and a Muslim, but a human being,” he said adding that due to ‘divisive’  politics of  BJP the people are referring each other with religion, which is unfortunate, Azad added.

He said the reach of NC and PDP is only up to Jawahar Tunnel, whereas Congress is the only party to confront BJP. “Going by the previous record of the regional parties, they can incline to any national party without concerning about its ideology, but Congress is the only party which cannot form coalition with BJP at any cost,” Azad said.

He lambasted BJP for conducting bogus surveys in the cities and said that conducting survey with just 9 percent of the people is hoodwinking masses. “Major 91% of the rural population is left untouched by these surveys of the BJP,” said he.