Srinagar: Asserting that the government elected by the people is the one that is needed here, Peoples Conference (PC) chairman, Sajad Gani Lone Tuesday said that the Center should conduct Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.
Lone also criticized the government for taking possession of Centaur Lake View Hotel at Boulevard Road here, saying the same should be handed over to the next popular government before it is put on sale.
He also appealed to the Hotel Corporation of India (HCI) to help employees of Centaur Hotel to get their due rights.
“Not only we (political parties) but people too want an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, because a people-elected government is the best form of government — it is a common perception. I wish and pray that the people of J&K get the government of their choice,” PC chief told the media during a function organized to welcome new entrants from Karnah tehsil of frontier Kupwara district into the party fold.
Replying to a query regarding the recent statement of Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh that Assembly elections will be conducted in J&K by the year-end, Lone said “if the rulers say elections will be conducted then they should do it”.
Welcoming new entrants including prominent social activists from Karnah, Kaneez Fatima and others into the party fold, Lone said her joining will strengthen the party at the grass-roots.
“I welcome Kaneez Fatima who along with her entire group including Haji Farooq Ahmad and Advocate Saleem. Fatima is a retired government teacher and a social activist who secured 2800-3000 votesin DDC elections as an independent candidate,” he said.
“I have a personal bond with Karnah as my late father was elected as MLA from the same constituency. I went there when I was in 9th standard and stayed there for seven days. I hope that a long-pending demand of the people of Karnah for a tunnel there will be fulfilled and our party will help them accomplish this dream,” Lone said.
