Lying dormant for over six months now, constituents of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday woke up to assemble at the residence of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti where they “unanimously” announced that doors have not been closed for holding parleys with the Central Government.
“Remember this, we have not closed any doors. If they will invite us for talks we will take a call at that point of time. We are not closing our doors. What we want is betterment of our people,” said Chairman of the alliance Farooq Abdullah.
The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration was floated by the Kashmir based mainstream political parties. The PAGD had contested the DDC polls last year on the slogan of restoring the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K and revoking Abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A.
Addressing media persons Abdullah also claimed, “PAGD is unanimously committed to the Gupkar Declaration of August 4, 2019.”
“There’s no change in our stand. Our challenge to changes of Aug 5, 2019, is in the Supreme Court. We are watching the delimitation process,” he added.
Referring to the recent arrest of the youth, Dr Abdullah said police are committing excesses on the people. “We will not tolerate this. This must be stopped. Otherwise it would be difficult to control the people”.
When reporters confronted Dr Abdullah over his party’s stance on the ongoing Delimitation exercise and why JKNC parliamentarians have not resigned he reacted angrily, “Why should I quit. I will never resign from Parliament. I will douse the flames in the fire. I will fight for my people in Parliament”.
Standing next to him, former MLA and CPI(M) leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami, who was appointed spokesman of the alliance, told reporters, “we will use every opportunity to fight for the rights of people”.
He also made a desperate attempt to send positive vibes to the common people by claiming, “Never ever misunderstand us. We must convey to the people of all three regions including people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that we shall be on the side of our people who are suffering”
After the declaration of the District Development council polls it is for the first time leaders belonging to Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, PDP, Awami National Conference, CPI(M) and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples’ Movement met each other to take stock of the political scenario in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Former Spokesman of the alliance, Sajjad Lone, had earlier parted ways due to growing internal bickering within the PAGD on January 19, 2021.
The meeting was also attended by JKNC MP Hassnain Masoodi, Javid Mustafa Mir, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah and Dr Mehboob.