Banihal, Aug 21: National Conference leader and Banihal MLA Sajjad Shaheen on Thursday described the PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2014 as a “historic betrayal” of the trust and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a joining function in Banihal, Shaheen said the PDP had sought votes on the promise of protecting the political identity, dignity and interests of J&K, but entered into an alliance with the BJP despite fundamental differences between the two parties.
“The people had voted for the PDP believing that it would stand as a safeguard against forces seeking to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s special position and political identity. Instead, the PDP entered into an alliance with the very forces whose agenda was fundamentally opposed to the aspirations it had claimed to represent. That was the beginning of the betrayal,” he said.
Shaheen said the PDP could not escape responsibility for the political developments that followed its alliance with the BJP, arguing that the partnership helped create the circumstances preceding the changes to J&K’s constitutional and political position.
He said residents of Banihal were primarily concerned with development, employment, roads, power, healthcare, education and connectivity, but these issues were also linked to wider questions of dignity and political empowerment.
As the elected representative of Banihal, Shaheen said he would continue to raise issues affecting the constituency and pursue development projects despite administrative and geographical challenges.
He said people were increasingly looking for consistent leadership and politics focused on service rather than power, asserting that the National Conference would continue to represent their concerns.
