Banihal, August 19: In a significant political development, around 150 political workers and activists, mainly from the PDP, besides Congress, BJP and AAP, joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference at a joining function held in Banihal.
Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen said the continued joining of political workers from different political parties reflects a clear shift in the political mood across the Banihal-Gool constituency and growing confidence in the National Conference.
“This is the second major joining in just two weeks, with prominent political activists from different parties from Gool-Sangaldan choosing to join the National Conference. This is not merely a change of political affiliation; it reflects the growing trust people have placed in the NC’s politics of dignity, representation and public service,” Shaheen said.
Among those who joined the National Conference were PDP Block President Mohd Rafiq Ganai, senior PDP leader Jamaldin Mir, PDP ST Block Vice President Choudhary Mumtaz, AAP Youth Block President Ishad Malik and senior BJP leader Uttam Singh Rai, besides dozens of other activists and workers.
Shaheen said the growing support for the National Conference is also linked to the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose government, he said, has ushered in a new phase of development across Jammu and Kashmir despite the limitations and difficulties of the present Union Territory set-up.
“Under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, a new era of development has begun across regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the limitations of the present UT framework and the challenges before the government, the focus remains firmly on development, connectivity, public services and addressing the long-pending needs of the people. People are witnessing this change on the ground,” Shaheen said.
He said the continuing exodus of political workers from the PDP carries a strong political message and reflects growing disappointment with the party’s past political choices.
“People have not forgotten how the PDP entered into an alliance with a right-wing party despite making political commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That alliance contributed to the political disempowerment of the people and eroded public trust. People have understood the difference between those who stood by their aspirations and those who compromised them for political convenience,” he said.
Shaheen said the joining of workers from different political backgrounds demonstrates that the National Conference continues to remain a strong and credible political platform for people who believe in democratic values, political dignity and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“People are making their choice based on experience. They want politics that is rooted in the soil, respects their aspirations and remains accountable to them. The National Conference has always stood for these principles, and we will continue to strengthen this bond with the people,” he said.
Welcoming the new members, Shaheen assured them that their experience and contribution would further strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots level. He said the doors of the National Conference remain open to everyone committed to public service, democratic politics and the welfare of the people.
Former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan, Block President Sangaldan Jan Mohammad Chandail, Mohd Afzal Giri, Musyad Ahmed Naik, Mehboob Ul Mukhtiar Bhat and Abdul Gani Khakmat, along with other senior party leaders, functionaries and workers, were present on the occasion.
