‘Move aimed to mobilise party cadre, build new opinion, keep morale of party workers up’
Srinagar, Jan 14 : With top leadership of Jammu and Kashmir’s major political parties still caged, the middle-rung workers of these parties have started a silent campaign in Kashmir to reach out to the party cadre and workers, who have been in a state of frustration and feeling isolated since past over five months.
According to wire service— NC’s second leadership is holding small party conventions in districts that include Budgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar in a bid to revitalize the party workers who have been “feeling orphaned since August 5. There has been no political development in Kashmir since August 5, when Centre announced to scrap the Article 370 and to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs)—Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh.
“See the question is that there can’t be normal political activities when top leadership continues to be caged. But since we are free, we can’t wait to see our leadership out and sit idle. We are carrying out political activities though silently and in a very low key manner across Kashmir,” a NC leader, told KNO, wishing not to be named.
He said that more than a dozen conventions were held at district headquarters of Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam. “We also reached out to our party men in who expressed serious concern over the continuous detention of our leadership and sought their immediate release,” the NC leader said.
Since August 5, NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Chief Minister Omar Abdullah continue to remain under detention. Senior Abdullah, however, has been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA), a law enacted by his father late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
While NC is busy to reach out to roots, PDP too is silently carrying out party activities even though its president Mehbooba Mufti remains under detention. “Yes, but our party activities are very limited. There is no direction since party chief is caged. We are talking to our workers wherever possible, but pace is very slow,” a PDP leader said.
On the other hand, Congress unit in J&K is facing simmering discontent as the party is facing internal rebellion. “There is no people to people contact. Majority of party leaders are enjoying in Jammu. Party activity is running at a snail’s pace,” a party insider told KNO. He said party is facing tough time these days. (KNO)
