People’s Conference Chairman Sajjad lone has rubbished Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s allegation that his party was an ally of the RSS in Kashmir.
“It seems he (Omar) has forgotten that his National Conference was an ally of BJP-led Government at the Centre and Omar was a junior minister there”, lone said during his poll campaigning in Handwara constituency.
He is fighting his first Assembly election after quitting separatist politics in 2003. His party contested two parliamentary elections but could not make any mark. lone’s party shot into prominence after he held a meeting with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier this month. He is now known as a secret ally of BJP in Kashmir.
“History is witness that National Conference has always sacrificed the interests of Kashmiris for the power and always sided with any political party which gave them power in J&K. Right from 1975, the NC has bartered the interests of Kashmiris,” he added.
Reminding Omar when he was minister of state at the center in BJP led government, the PC chief said, “NC aligned with BJP that time despite the fact it had clear majority in the state Assembly. NC did so just to secure a ministerial berth for Omar at Center. When NC has been dumped by both Congress and the BJP, Omar has suddenly become pro-Kashmir. Why didn’t he worry about the interests of Kashmiris when he was in power,” lone asked.
He made it clear that Peoples Conference is not in alliance with any party. “We will fight the elections on our own and show our strength. Our strength is people of Kashmir who have decided to vote out dynastic parties out of power in this election.”
“Peoples Conference will emerge as a strong force after the elections and will decide about future course of action keeping in view the interests of Kashmiris. For us interests and aspirations of people of Kashmir are more important than power. It has remained the history of PC to always side with people,” lone said