Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said conspiracies being hatched by peace inimical elements will not deter NC from performing its role of steering the state to a new era of peace and development.
"The sinister machinations being hatched by peace inimical elements will not deter National Conference from performing its destined role of steering Jammu and Kashmir to a new era of progress and development," Omar said.
He was speaking at a gathering while welcoming a prominent political activist and an eminent medical practitioner of Akhnoor, Dr Gafoor Ahmed and his supporters, into the party fold here last night.
"It is because of the healthy political environs and sustained peace restored during the past four years that the people, especially the youngsters, are looking towards a better tomorrow," Omar said.
"This odyssey will continue despite impediments being created by vested interests," Omar said.
The chief minister described the National Conference as natural choice for those believing in secular ethos, plurality and single entity of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the party has withstood test of times during most turbulent times.
"With a chequered history of public service during past over seven decades, National Conference has all along strived for unity among the people of the three regions notwithstanding challenge of divisive forces," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"With a chequered history of public service during past over seven decades, National Conference has all along strived for unity among the people of the three regions notwithstanding challenge of divisive forces," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Having contested two assembly elections in 2002 and mid-term polls in 2004 from Akhnoor constituency as an independent candidate, Gafoor enjoys a strong clout among people. He emerged as a potential candidate by bagging nearly 10,000 votes in each election.
Omar, who is also working president of National Conference, reiterated his commitment to strive for dignified life of the people with equitable opportunities of progress and development to all.
He referred to efforts made during the past six years in changing the developmental profile of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh with focus on sustaining the peace.
"Restoring peace during the most turbulent phase in 2009 and 2010 was a big challenge which we met successfully with the cooperation of people," he said while recalling the turbulent phase of unrest at the outset of his government in the valley.
Reposing his faith in the leadership of Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, Gafoor pledged to work for strengthening the National Conference at the grassroots level.
Gafoor said he will work as a foot soldier to make people aware of the forward-looking policies of the NC.