Farooq Abdullah asks NC workers to prepare for Panchayat elections

Jammu: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday called upon party workers to start preparing for the upcoming panchayat elections, emphasizing the need for unity to “rebuild” Jammu and Kashmir.The development comes after the Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Monday concluded annual revision of panchayat electoral rolls and said more than 70 lakh voters, including over 34 lakh women, are eligible to vote in the upcoming panchayat elections.

“Prepare for elections. Whenever elections are held, be ready from today,” he said, addressing a gathering of party workers here.He urged NC workers to choose candidates who genuinely want to serve the people and emphasized the need for honesty and unity to “rebuild” Jammu and Kashmir. “Together, we can overcome these challenges and bring our region back on the path of progress,” he said.

Recalling the 2024 assembly elections, Abdullah said, “In previous elections, many believed it wouldn’t happen, but they were eventually announced, leaving many unprepared.”Abdullah urged party workers to remain truthful with the public and avoid misleading promises. “Tell people what you can do and what you cannot. Do not mislead them with greener pastures; it will not work,” he said.

He also warned against disloyalty within the party, stating, “don’t project yourself as NC workers while voting for the lotus (BJP’s symbol). I have seen such behaviour before. Today, many are joining NC because we are in power, but we must prioritize those who have sacrificed for the party over opportunists.”Calling for unity among leaders, he said, “Love and support those who have stood by the organization. First, put your house in order. If your house is not in order, how can the country be in order?”

Highlighting the challenges J&K is facing, Abdullah said various sectors including education, healthcare, power, and water supply are facing issues.“God has placed a crown of thorns on our heads. It is our responsibility to fight these challenges and resolve the difficulties of the people. If we fail to address these issues, what is the purpose of governance?” he asked.He criticized past governments, alleging corruption in infrastructure projects. “The Centre sent crores of rupees for water supply infrastructure, but much of it was embezzled. These issues need to be investigated.”

On power generation, he expressed frustration over local resources being used to benefit other states. “The electricity generated here is sent to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, while we remain deprived. This shows their love for our state,” he remarked.Abdullah also raised concerns about unemployment and the exodus of locals. “Most of the workers in power projects are from outside. Where will our people go?” he asked.

He criticized the alleged targeting of industrialists by investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate. “Industrialists are being hounded, forcing many to leave the country. Some have moved to Arab countries to continue their work. Until such harassment stops, we cannot make progress,” he said.Abdullah also called for an inclusive nation. “A country cannot thrive if only one flower blooms while others wither. True Bharat is when everyone — regardless of language, religion, or region — is happy and prosperous,” he said.

“Those who want to make this country a one-colour nation will not succeed. I envision India of Nehru, Gandhi, and Abdullah — a progressive and inclusive nation,” he said.Abdullah compared India’s industrial environment to that of the Arab world, emphasizing the need for supportive policies that encourage local businesses.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of J&K and called for collective efforts to address the UT’s challenges. “I may be 90 years old, but Allah has given me the strength to think about your welfare and fight for your rights,” he said. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Katra-Sangaldan train service is likely to be delayed by a few months and will begin operations in April with the onset of the tourism season.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here, Abdullah said he was preparing to travel to Srinagar onboard the train on January 25.”I heard that the train (to Kashmir) will face a two-month delay due to some incomplete works. Those works are being attended to and they will start the train in April with the onset of the tourism season,” the former chief minister said.

In December last year, the Railway Ministry announced the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, the work that was started in 1997 to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country.The railway authorities conducted several trial runs on various sections including the Katra-Srinagar track besides the statutory inspection by Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northern Circle, Dinesh Chand Deshwal in the past one month, brightening the chances of early operationalization of the service.

Asked about the criticism of the government functioning allegedly by a Congress leader, Abdullah said the government knows what to do.“Government will function as it wants. Nobody can dictate terms to the government,” he said.Responding to the PDP remark that the NC government has changed the goal post from Article 370 to statehood, Abdullah said the rival party needs to go for self-introspection before making any allegations against his party.

“Tell them (PDP), they are the ones who are responsible for the revocation of Article 370. We have told Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (former chief minister and PDP founder) not to join the BJP for government formation. He went ahead, despite repeated requests by us, Congress and other parties,” he said.Asked when the statehood was restored to Jammu and Kashmir, he quipped “When it is acceptable to the Almighty.”

On return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits who completed 35 years in exile on January 19, Abdullah said the BJP ruled J-K over the past 10 years and the question should have been posed to them how many migrant families they have rehabilitated during this period.He said the BJP has also promised 50,000 jobs to the unemployed youth but nobody will ask them how many jobs they provided in the past 10 years but will ask the National Conference which only came to power three months ago and has five years to fulfil all its promises including providing jobs to the youth.

Abdullah questioned the silence of the media over the alleged misuse of the central government by the BJP in the elections.“I want to advise the media to remove hatred from their reporting and try to work to spread love. If we continue to spread hatred, we cannot save the country,” he said, urging the media in the country to go for self-introspection before asking questions to the opposition party leaders.

Asked about the involvement of a Bangladeshi national in the recent attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai, Abdullah said he is against such things and wished him a speedy recovery.“Maharashtra is a rich state where everybody wants to go to earn a living. How many people from our state are earning their livelihood in Mumbai? It is the financial capital of India,” he said, adding “If somebody has attacked him, you cannot blame an entire nation for one man’s action.”

“You remember what had happened in Canada and America and they put the blame on India. How can you blame a nation for one person’s action…(former Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi visioned SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) like the European Union with the aim that all countries in the neighbourhood work together for the betterment of their nations. We need a revival of this,” he said.