SRINAGAR: Stating that present situation is not conductive for holding elections in Kashmir, MLA Langate Er Rashid on Monday said that his party AIP – will not participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha by-elections for Anantnag and Srinagar seats.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Rashid said, due to summer uprising of 2016, I feel ashamed to seek votes from public.
It is because of wrong polices of National Conference and PDP that we are not in a position to seek votes from public, as these parties have always tried to represent New Delhi in Kashmir rather representing Kashmir in New Delhi by acting like collaborators, Rashid said.
In the name of Autonomy and Self Rule, the MLA Langate, said, they (PDP and NC) have always deceived people and have lost credibility in Kashmir.
When bullets and pellets are being used to muzzle the voices of people, it would have been proper not to conduct elections at this stage but New Delhi is forcing Kashmiris into another political battle for its vested interest, Rashid claimed.
He added, by participating in elections, no one becomes pro-Indian or anti-Pakistani. He, however, said, the available forums including Assembly and Parliament are the best places to plead Kashmir cause.
Our party strongly believes in democratic process and it is the best way to plead Kashmir cause and we will participate in elections till Kashmir issue is resolved, the MLA said adding, participating in elections is need of the hour but India is bulldozing democracy in Kashmir by using it military might.
If India is worlds largest democracy, he said, it should take on board every stake holder to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Our party firmly believes that referendum is the only solution to resolve Kashmir issue, he asserted.
Since 2008 till date, he further said, time bears testimony to the fact that inside and outside the assembly we have consistently raised the demand of referendum.
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