Srinagar, Jul 31: Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone Wednesday said that his party will extend ‘unconditional’ support to any collective effort aimed at protecting the special identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lone said PC will support any endeavor including that of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s call for an all party meeting in this regard.
PC leader said that he along with party general secretary, Imran Reza Ansari met Mehbooba Mufti and assured her of their party’s unconditional support in any of her efforts to protect Article 35-A.
“We will go to any extent to defend the special identity of our state; I am just a call away to play my role in this regard. Our party will extend unconditional support to any collective effort aimed at protecting the Article 35-A,” Lone said adding “I along with Imran Ansari met Mehbooba-ji and assured her of our support in any of her efforts.”
Lone was speaking to media-persons at a function wherein some new faces and few old horses joined the party fold.
Regarding fear psychosis which has gripped the Valley following purported government orders making rounds on social media over the past few days, Lone said this is wrong and should not happen.
Lone also took a swipe at the NC vice-president Omar Abdullah urging him to intensify efforts in protecting the special status instead of being apologetic.
“See it seems Omar Sahab is more apologetic, he should intensify his efforts to defend special provisions the way he was speaking during elections. More so it’s not the time to target each-other but to find a way-out to come out of the duress,” said the PC leader.
He lashed out at Omar for his “endorsement in advance” to the Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 35-A, which is also facing legal onslaught presently.
Lone said if Omar was willing to accept Supreme Court’s verdict, then what was the fun to boycott Urban Local Body (ULB) and Panchayat elections.
Regarding quizzing of NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah by Enforcement Directorate (ED), he said since he has been charged with corruption let him taste the quizzing.
“I was interrogated many times in past but in different case; so far as Farooq Sahib is concerned he was involved in cricket scam and has been charged with corruption, so let him taste the quizzing,” Lone added.
