Srinagar, Dec 23 (UNI) Pumped-up and reinvigorated following victory in District Development Council (DDC) elections, former chief minister and Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that forging an alliance with other political parties was not easy but was done for the larger interest of the people of J&K.

Meanwhile, in an apparent referral to BJP, Dr Abdullah, who is the president of National Conference (NC), said that he is not afraid and will not bow before anyone except Allah.

The PAGD swept the first-ever DDC election in J&K by bagging 112 seats while the BJP secured 75 seats out of 288 seats in 20 districts of J&K.

“It was difficult to forge an alliance with other parties that were rivals of the NC. But a decision was taken in the large interests of people of J&K. For this many party leaders were denied tickets and… it was their right, but for the greater good they made sacrifices. Some people were hurt, but for the larger interest of the people we made those sacrifices,” said an emotional Dr Abdullah while addressing party working here on Wednesday.

The NC president said that he is thankful to the party workers and leaders who understood the reason behind forging an alliance and fought alongside to secure victory for PAGD candidates. “The PAGD candidates won because their intent was right… that is why God supported you. Tomorrow you will occupy a chair… you must keep this in mind that you are there to help the people, irrespective of their cast, religion or region,” he said.

Dr Abdullah said that they (BJP) used to say that NC is finished, but the DDC results have proven them wrong. “In 1996 also during militancy, Prime Minister Narsima Rao and others used to stay that NC has finished in Kashmir and didn’t exist anymore. But, when they realized, they (Delhi leaders) came to meet me in London and begged me to save them. Let me tell them, NC was there, is there and it will remain there,” Dr Abdullah said.

“They are trying to scare us… but they don’t know Farooq Abdullah. I have never been scared on anyone and I will never bow in front of anyone except Allah. I ask you all (party workers) not be afraid and be committed to our resolve. Don’t lose hope,” he said.

The NC president further said that there are weaknesses in the party ‘that need to be plugged sooner’. “We can fix those problems only if we remain steady fast on our commitments… I urge all of you to identify and help fix problems… only then can we excel in life,” he added.
UNI ABS JAL 1804