Kupwara, Nov 19: Alleging that Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has been formed by people who believe in dynastic and destructive politics, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said that it will turn out to be their ‘death declaration’.
Naqvi, who is on two-day visit to Kashmir valley to campaign for BJP candidates contesting DDC elections, accused previous governments of indulging in corruption, saying that ‘the funds which used to come for the development of J&K were diverted by politicians for their own benefits’.
The Union Minister said the Modi-led government in the centre will ensure development with dignity for the people of J&K.
“PAGD has been formed by people who believe in dynastic and destructive politics. But, it will turn out to be their death declaration as the people of J&K want to be the part of development. Do they (PAGD) want to again put J&K on the path of destruction,” Naqvi said while addressing a gathering in this border district.
Upping the ante at Congress for being a part of PAGD, he said, “Congress is confused as sometimes it say that it is a part of the alliance and sometimes it say it has no association with it. But, Congress has been caught in its own web.”
Hitting out at the PAGD, Naqvi said these parties were opposed to local body elections as they don’t believe in independent and grass root politics. “These politicians have not allowed politics at grass root to develop as they believe in ‘khandani garoor, bandini saroor’,” he said.
He said the alliance decided to contest DDC polls only after realizing that Article 370 is 370 meter below the ground and can never be brought back. “They PAGD initially said that they will not contest any elections till the time Article 370 was restored in J&K. But after realizing that Article 370 can never be brought back, they announced to contest elections,” he said.
The Union Minister said that these politicians never wanted Article 370 to go as so many laws, which were passed by Parliament for the benefit of the people, were not implemented in J&K. “As these laws were not implemented in J&K, it deprived people of various rights including reservation for SC/ST in political sphere. After abrogation of Article 370 so many central laws have been extended to J&K and has benefited people in Kashmir and Jammu,” he added.
“These politicians have benefited over these years from the funds which were meant for the development of the people. They are upset as now they will not be able to benefit from these funds as the power has been handed over to the people in the form of their local level representatives. Through panchayat, DDC and Urban Local body elections, people will have a say in the development process of their respective areas,” he added.
