Farooq Abdullah, Raman Bhalla Attend Panther’s Party Rally
Jammu- In another show of unity by Jammu & Kashmir’s opposition parties, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Congress working president Raman Bhalla on Thursday turned up at a rally organized by the Panthers Party on its foundation day in its stronghold of Udhampur.
Reports said that National Conference president and former CM Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Congress working president Raman Bhalla attended the function organized by the Panthers Party to observe its 3Ist foundation day.
It was not known whether any Peoples Democratic Party leader was invited by the Panthers Party. The Panthers Party was founded on March 23, 1982 by Prof. Bhim Singh.
Addressing the rally, Dr Farooq hinted at a broader political alliance in Jammu & Kashmir. “Nobody will break our unity whether he will drop from the sky or surface from the earth. We have decided that we will either safeguard its future or will die in that struggle,” he said.
The NC leader said that they have made a commitment that they will live and die for the people.
Asking people to strengthen the hands of Panthers Party president and former minister Harshdev Singh, the NC president said that attempts were made in the past to break the Panthers Party. “These attempts are still on but you should stand up with Harshdev Singh and strengthen his hands,” he said.
The NC leader, who culminated his speech with slogans of Jai Hind, Jai Jammu, Jai Duggar, Jai, said that people shouldn’t desist from rendering sacrifices of their lives for restoring their dignity and forming their own government. “If you want to form your own government and restore your dignity, you shouldn’t desist from sacrificing your lives for that,” he said—(KNO)
Mehbooba Calls For Oppn Unity In 2024 LS Polls
Meanwhile PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has said all opposition parties will have to unite to give a formidable fight to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but expressed doubts about such an alliance coming into existence.
In an interview with PTI here, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said a grand opposition alliance needs to have Congress as its nucleus but the BJP is dividing the opposition camp to ensure that it does not happen.
She also questioned the silence of Samajwadi Party leader Akhikesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati.
“Unless and until opposition parties don’t come together, I don’t think there is going to be a formidable opposition to the BJP. (But), are they in a position to come together with this ED, NIA and other agencies at their throat? Look at Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati. They are not saying anything. Why are they silent?” she said.
Mehbooba said the BJP government, which came with such a huge mandate, could have done wonders, but, “unfortunately, it seems, as (Delhi chief minister) (Arvind) Kejriwal said, they don’t have any vision for the country”.
“The only thing is it seems to be they are ruling this country like a ‘mafia’. If you can’t get things done in your own way, then use all crooked ways,” she added.
The PDP president said with agencies after various politicians, “I have my own doubts if the opposition parties can come together”.
“Look at Mamata Banerjee, KCR and Kejriwal on one way. They (BJP) don’t want Congress to lead the opposition as Congress is the main nucleus. They want fragments,” she said.
In response to a question on the state of minorities, Mehbooba said while the Muslims are allegedly the first target of the BJP-led government, it goes after everyone who opposes them.
“It is not about Muslims anymore. If you look at it, the people who are put in jail this time, they are not Muslims. Manish Sisodia is not Muslim, you have Sharad Pawar’s people put behind bars, Sanjay Raut was in jail. Now they are going after Rahul Gandhi.
“So, it is not about Muslims only, but Muslims of course are the first target. It is going to be BJP versus all. Whosoever opposes them, tries to have a dissenting note, they are going to go after them,” she said.
“That includes Hindus, Sikhs, Dalits everybody. You see what happened at Hathras, not only Bilkis Bano’s rapists were released, Ram Rahim had raped and killed Hindu women but still, he is out,” she added.
Referring to some right wing leaders demanding a Hindu rashtra, Mehbooba said they are trying to make it “BJP rashtra”.
“Everyone talks about Hindu rashtra, but I do not think there is going to be a Hindu rashtra, there is going to be a BJP rashtra where either you are with us or you are against us,’” she said.
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