Joined by Altaf Bukhari, Sajad Lone promises to end FIR and police verification culture
Baramulla, May 16: As the north Kashmir Lok Sabha constituency, which includes Budgam and Beerwah after delimitation, readies for the polls on May 20, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) held an impressive rally at Baramulla today with Syed Altaf Bukhari, president Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) joining JKPC candidate Sajad Lone.
Following the Srinagar-Pulwama Parliamentary Constituency (PC) that voted on Monday sealing the fate of three main candidates of NC, PDP and AP, the focus has now shifted to Baramulla PC which is going to witness a contest of titans – former chief minister Omar Abdullah and JKPC president, Sajad Gani Lone.
What makes the contest exciting and interesting is the entry of former Langate MLA, Abdul Rasheed Sheikh alias Er Rasheed into the fray. He is in Tihar jail on terror funding cases and is contesting in absentia.
Another important player in the contest is Fayaz Mir of PDP, who is a former MP (Rajya Sabha Member); he quit PDP and joined Sajad Lone’s PC for some time; quit PC and rejoined PDP
While NC’s Omar Abdullah has been accusing Sajad Lone of being a proxy of BJP, Lone continues to insist that Omar Abdullah is an outsider (tourist) having no stakes in north Kashmir as ‘he is not even a voter there.’
Omar’s accusations that Sajad is a BJP proxy, Lone insists that Omar was baptized into politics by BJP during Vajpayee’s regime.
Meanwhile, thousands thronged to the rally grounds, underscoring the immense support garnered by the People’s Conference in the region. Amidst a sea of enthusiastic supporters, Sajjad Lone reaffirmed his commitment to the people of North Kashmir, promising a future of progress and prosperity.
However, amidst the fervor and anticipation, Lone took a firm stance, vehemently denying any links with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With conviction, he asserted that the BJP lacked even 2,000 votes in North Kashmir to offer him support, dispelling any speculation of collaboration.
“I want to end the FIR and police verification culture, which is taking a heavy toll on youth,” Lone said. “Our youth should live peacefully. Let the government let them live a peaceful life.”
Alongside PC president, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari was also present at the event to lend support to the contesting party – People’s Conference, in the upcoming elections.
Addressing the rally Sajad Lone said, “The overwhelming support is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our party members and the faith people have in our vision.”
With the slogan “Jeet Hamari In Sha Allah (victory will be ours, God willing)”, Lone termed the rally as a testament to the upcoming results, adding, “With our victory, a new dawn is going to start.”
“I’m not a tourist, I’m someone who has seen jails and endured tortures. I have struggled a lot. My strength is you people,” he said. “I have heard a lot from the opposition, but will give them a befitting reply on June 04.”
Meanwhile, speaking with the reporters, the PC chief referred to the National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah – his rival candidate – and said, “Their party had been in power for 40 years and they had around 9 parliament members, so it is the right of every Kashmiri to check before casting votes in their favour. Both the father and son are using my name and are abusing me for vote bank.”
Reacting to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kashmir, Sajad said he had nothing to do with his visit. “Woh afsar Log Hain, Woh Aaye Kahan Jaye, we have our people, this Tsunami who have come here to listen to me.”
