Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday slammed the Opposition delegation led by Rahul Gandhi, over their visit to the region, which he feels was “nothing but a political action”.
“There is no need for him (Rahul Gandhi) now. He was needed when his colleague was speaking in Parliament… If he wants to aggravate the situation and come here to repeat the lie he said in Delhi, it is not good,” Malik told ANI here. “I had invited him out of goodwill but he started doing politics, it was nothing but a political action by these people. It is sad. Parties should keep in mind the national interest in these times,” he added.
Opposition delegation sent back from Srinagar
Besides Gandhi, the delegation included Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), D Raja (CPI), Sharad Yadav (rebel JD-U), Manoj Jha (RJD), Majeed Memon (NCP) and Tiruchi Siva (DMK) which was sent back to Delhi an hour after landing in Srinagar. The delegation was visiting Srinagar to see the ground reality, days after the Centre abrogated Article 370 from the region.
In a message to the people of Kashmir, Malik said “those people, who used to provoke you, misguide you and used to show you fake dreams, are not your friends.”
“After 70 years, a thing has happened which people had not expected. Slowly people understand it and come out of it. We are not doing anything in rush. Slowly we will make them understand the benefits of it. In two-three days you will get to know about many projects for people of Kashmir, especially the youth. For development in villages we have given Rs 5 crore to all District Collectors,” Malik said.
“We will make them believe that the coming days are good and those people, who used to provoke you, misguide you and used to show you fake dreams, are not your friends. They furthered their interests and didn’t think about you,” he added.
On ceasefire violation from across the border, Malik said, “I don’t need to say on it. Our forces are well equipped. There moral is high. Whenever something happens, they reply back immediately.”
Congressmen want bloodshed, says J&K BJP chief
BJP chief of Jammu and Kashmir unit, Ravinder Raina on Saturday claimed that the Congressmen want bloodshed in the Valley and accused the opposition of instigating local youth to protest against Centre’s decision of abrogating Article 370.
Speaking to ANI, Raina said, “I hope that all these leaders will visit Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and appeal for peace and harmony, and not instigate common youth. For the last 15 days, we have observed that they are instigating the common youth to come on the roads. Congressmen want bloodshed in the Kashmir valley.” He continued, “On this holy day of Janmashtmi, Congress leaders and other leftist leaders should give the message of peace, harmony, brotherhood, unity and patriotism.”
Accusing the Congress of “patronising terrorism and separatism”, Raina said, “For the last 70 years, it is Congress party and all these leftists who gave a sense of separatism and supported terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Also read: Pakistan’s ruling party PTI tweets old Kashmir video, claims violence over Article 370
Things do not seem to be going as per plan. Three weeks have passed, the normal lives of ordinary citizens continue to be totally disrupted. Livelihood issues are involved, apart from personal freedoms. There are reports that feelers have been sent to former CMs Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. They are caught between a rock and a hard place, several times more than when they were playing ball with Delhi. Who will fill the political vacuum in Kashmir – a new set of Panchayat leaders, whom ordinary people will view as quislings …