Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the National Conference on Saturday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to defeat "communal and reactionary elements" by strengthening the secular forces to safeguard the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a party workers' meeting at Ramokote in Billawar, NC leader Thakur Kashmira Singh said certain elements are making desperate attempts to weaken the unity among the people by raking up issues like
abrogating Article 370 and dispensing with the state subject laws.
"Article 370 is the essence of Jammu and Kashmir's unity and its relationship with the Union", said Kashmira Singh, a former MLC.
The NC leader said the state subject laws were in the larger interests of all segments of the society in the state and the' permanent residence' law in particular was aimed at safeguarding job opportunities for the youth.
BJP, which had been consistently demanding abrogation of Artticle 370, had off late toned down its stand on the issue after party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, in his Jammu rally, said there should a debate on this article and let the people of the state decide if it had helped them or not.
Terming the BJP as a communal and divisive force, Kashmira Singh asked the people to vote for the National
{{/usCountry}}Terming the BJP as a communal and divisive force, Kashmira Singh asked the people to vote for the National
{{/usCountry}}Conference-Congress alliance in the coming Lok sabha elections and isolate the communal forces in a big way.
He said the coalition government in the state had worked for the inclusive development of all the regions .
He said creation of new administrative units have satiated the urges and aspirations of the people living in remote areas.
Addressing the meeting, former minister and chairman SC/BC Cell of the party, Babu Rampal made an appeal to the workers and weaker sections of society to maintain unity.
Romy Khajuria, Kathua district president, urged the party workers to ensure the victory of the alliance candidate.