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Tag: Farooq Abdullah

  • Jammu: Abdullah commences 4-day tour; asks party workers to inform people about ‘anti-J&K forces’

    By PTI

    JAMMU: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday began a four-day tour of Chenab valley, urging the party workers to intensify their public outreach and inform people about the designs of “anti-J&K forces”.

    On the first day, the former chief minister drove to Warwan valley of Kishtwar after making a brief stopover at Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a party spokesman said.

    Interacting with party workers, he implored upon them to get eligible youth registered as voters in their respective areas.

    “The party is fighting a just, democratic, legal and political battle against the decisions of August 5, 2019 at multiple levels. The people of J&K also have to play by registering and subsequently coming out in large numbers to vote, whenever elections are held.” Abdullah said.

    On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked Article 370 of the constitution guaranteeing special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two Union Territories.

    Asking workers to intensify their public outreach, Abdullah said, “our workers have a bigger role to play this time.”Our region is at crossroads, it requires us to remain united as never before. It also requires our party men to educate and inform people about the designs of the anti J&K forces,” he said without naming anyone.

    JAMMU: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday began a four-day tour of Chenab valley, urging the party workers to intensify their public outreach and inform people about the designs of “anti-J&K forces”.

    On the first day, the former chief minister drove to Warwan valley of Kishtwar after making a brief stopover at Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a party spokesman said.

    Interacting with party workers, he implored upon them to get eligible youth registered as voters in their respective areas.

    “The party is fighting a just, democratic, legal and political battle against the decisions of August 5, 2019 at multiple levels. The people of J&K also have to play by registering and subsequently coming out in large numbers to vote, whenever elections are held.” Abdullah said.

    On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked Article 370 of the constitution guaranteeing special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two Union Territories.

    Asking workers to intensify their public outreach, Abdullah said, “our workers have a bigger role to play this time.”Our region is at crossroads, it requires us to remain united as never before. It also requires our party men to educate and inform people about the designs of the anti J&K forces,” he said without naming anyone.

  • Opposition’s show of strength: INLD’s September 25 rally aims to bring Nitish, Tejashwi, Pawar on one stage

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: To display Opposition unity, the INLD has invited Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav and Farooq Abdullah for its September 25 rally which will also be attended by Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, party leader Abhay Chautala said Tuesday.

    The INLD national general secretary said the former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik have also been invited to the rally.

    An invitation will also be sent to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Chautala told PTI.

    He said, “During a meeting with Nitish Kumar ji, INLD supremo O P Chautala invited him to the September 25 rally in Fatehabad, and he agreed to attend the meeting.”

    When contacted, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi confirmed that Kumar will attend the rally along with Tejashwi Yadav.

    “To mark the birthday of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, various opposition leaders will come together on one stage and it would be an appropriate occasion to discuss various issues,” Tyagi told PTI.

    O P Chautala claimed that people are fed up with the BJP and “an atmosphere against the ruling party at the Centre is building in the country”.

    “The September 25 rally will not only showcase opposition unity but also anger against the BJP government,” he said, adding all socialist and erstwhile Janata Dal leaders should come on one stage.

    The INLD has been organising public rallies on the birthday of its founder Devi Lal and has been inviting various leaders from opposition parties, other than the Congress.

    NEW DELHI: To display Opposition unity, the INLD has invited Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav and Farooq Abdullah for its September 25 rally which will also be attended by Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, party leader Abhay Chautala said Tuesday.

    The INLD national general secretary said the former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik have also been invited to the rally.

    An invitation will also be sent to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Chautala told PTI.

    He said, “During a meeting with Nitish Kumar ji, INLD supremo O P Chautala invited him to the September 25 rally in Fatehabad, and he agreed to attend the meeting.”

    When contacted, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi confirmed that Kumar will attend the rally along with Tejashwi Yadav.

    “To mark the birthday of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, various opposition leaders will come together on one stage and it would be an appropriate occasion to discuss various issues,” Tyagi told PTI.

    O P Chautala claimed that people are fed up with the BJP and “an atmosphere against the ruling party at the Centre is building in the country”.

    “The September 25 rally will not only showcase opposition unity but also anger against the BJP government,” he said, adding all socialist and erstwhile Janata Dal leaders should come on one stage.

    The INLD has been organising public rallies on the birthday of its founder Devi Lal and has been inviting various leaders from opposition parties, other than the Congress.

  • ‘Final decision on contesting all 90 seats in J-K at time of polls’: NC president Farooq Abdullah

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said a final decision on contesting all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken at the time of polls, and that the shutters have not been pulled down on the five-party PAGD alliance.

    His remarks come a day after the provincial committee of the National Conference resolved to contest all 90 seats and not in alliance with other members of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the amalgam formed for the restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Constitution.

    “The PAGD will never shut its doors,” Abdullah told reporters here.

    Asked about the party’s provincial committee resolution that the NC should prepare and fight all 90 assembly seats when the elections take place, he said the NC was a democratic party, but the final decision will be taken at the time of the polls.

    “It (the resolution) is okay. The NC is a democratic party, a democratic party and can pass resolutions, but the final decision will be taken when the time for election comes,” he said.

    At the provincial committee meeting, chaired by NC vice president Omar Abdullah, at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha here on Wednesday, the participants present in the meeting expressed dismay over the recent statements, audio jingles and speeches made by some of the constituents of the PAGD targeting the NC, the party statement had said.

    “They felt that it does not contribute to the overall unity of the amalgam. They denounced the unfair treatment meted out to JKNC in PAGD. The participants demanded immediate course correction from PAGD constituents. The provincial committee members unanimously resolved that JKNC should prepare and fight all 90 assembly seats.”

    “The vice president in his response acknowledged the concerns raised by the participants and reiterated that the interest of the people of J&K and JKNC will be safeguarded,” the statement said.

    However, the NC president said the decision will depend on the situation in J-K at that time.

    “You (media) have started to decide what we will do. How will that happen. We will have to see how the situation of the state will be that time (elections),” he added.

    When asked about his party expressing dismay over the recent statements, audio jingles and speeches made by some of the constituents of the PAGD targeting NC, Abdullah, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, also said everyone should show tolerance.

    “The statements (against NC) will come, but it should be our endeavour to show tolerance. If you cannot have tolerance, then you will not be able to do anything for the people. You should remember two things, tolerance and patience. Also, one should be ready to sacrifice himself,” he said.

    Asked what advice he will give to Omar, the NC president said he cannot advise his son as he understands what needs to be done.

    PDP, the other major constituent of the PAGD, had also downplayed the NC resolution saying it would not affect the unity of the amalgam.

    “PAGD was conceived for a much larger cause than just an electoral alliance. If some constituent of the Alliance has reservations for any kind of electoral alliance, that will not impact our unity for the larger goal,” chief spokesman of the PDP Suhail Bukhari said in a tweet.

    Besides the NC, the PAGD, which was formed on August 4, 2019, comprises the PDP, CPM, Awami National Conference and CPI.

    During the 2020 District Development Council elections, the alliance contested and won 110 seats out of 280 with the NC winning 67 seats alone.

    SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said a final decision on contesting all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken at the time of polls, and that the shutters have not been pulled down on the five-party PAGD alliance.

    His remarks come a day after the provincial committee of the National Conference resolved to contest all 90 seats and not in alliance with other members of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the amalgam formed for the restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Constitution.

    “The PAGD will never shut its doors,” Abdullah told reporters here.

    Asked about the party’s provincial committee resolution that the NC should prepare and fight all 90 assembly seats when the elections take place, he said the NC was a democratic party, but the final decision will be taken at the time of the polls.

    “It (the resolution) is okay. The NC is a democratic party, a democratic party and can pass resolutions, but the final decision will be taken when the time for election comes,” he said.

    At the provincial committee meeting, chaired by NC vice president Omar Abdullah, at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha here on Wednesday, the participants present in the meeting expressed dismay over the recent statements, audio jingles and speeches made by some of the constituents of the PAGD targeting the NC, the party statement had said.

    “They felt that it does not contribute to the overall unity of the amalgam. They denounced the unfair treatment meted out to JKNC in PAGD. The participants demanded immediate course correction from PAGD constituents. The provincial committee members unanimously resolved that JKNC should prepare and fight all 90 assembly seats.”

    “The vice president in his response acknowledged the concerns raised by the participants and reiterated that the interest of the people of J&K and JKNC will be safeguarded,” the statement said.

    However, the NC president said the decision will depend on the situation in J-K at that time.

    “You (media) have started to decide what we will do. How will that happen. We will have to see how the situation of the state will be that time (elections),” he added.

    When asked about his party expressing dismay over the recent statements, audio jingles and speeches made by some of the constituents of the PAGD targeting NC, Abdullah, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, also said everyone should show tolerance.

    “The statements (against NC) will come, but it should be our endeavour to show tolerance. If you cannot have tolerance, then you will not be able to do anything for the people. You should remember two things, tolerance and patience. Also, one should be ready to sacrifice himself,” he said.

    Asked what advice he will give to Omar, the NC president said he cannot advise his son as he understands what needs to be done.

    PDP, the other major constituent of the PAGD, had also downplayed the NC resolution saying it would not affect the unity of the amalgam.

    “PAGD was conceived for a much larger cause than just an electoral alliance. If some constituent of the Alliance has reservations for any kind of electoral alliance, that will not impact our unity for the larger goal,” chief spokesman of the PDP Suhail Bukhari said in a tweet.

    Besides the NC, the PAGD, which was formed on August 4, 2019, comprises the PDP, CPM, Awami National Conference and CPI.

    During the 2020 District Development Council elections, the alliance contested and won 110 seats out of 280 with the NC winning 67 seats alone.

  • ED files chargesheet against Farooq Abdullah

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has charged Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and others for financial irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The agency has filed a supplementary charge sheet under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, before the court in Srinagar.

    The charge sheet was filed against Abdullah, Ahsan Ahmad Mirza, Mir Manzoor Gazanffer and others. The court has issued notices to the accused for appearance before the PMLA Special Court on Aug. 27. The supplementary charge sheet was preceded by three provisional attachment orders where movable as well as immovable assets to the extent of `21.55 crore belonging to the accused were attached.

    NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has charged Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and others for financial irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The agency has filed a supplementary charge sheet under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, before the court in Srinagar.

    The charge sheet was filed against Abdullah, Ahsan Ahmad Mirza, Mir Manzoor Gazanffer and others. The court has issued notices to the accused for appearance before the PMLA Special Court on Aug. 27. The supplementary charge sheet was preceded by three provisional attachment orders where movable as well as immovable assets to the extent of `21.55 crore belonging to the accused were attached.

  • Farooq Abdullah withdraws name as possible joint opposition candidate for President’s post

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Three-time former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, whose name was proposed as a possible joint candidate for the office of president on Friday withdrew his name from the race saying he has a lot more active politics ahead and is looking forward to making a positive contribution in service of J&K and country.

    In a statement, Abdullah, who is Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, said “I am honoured to have had my name proposed as a possible joint opposition candidate for the office of President of India by Mamata Banerjee”.

    He said after Mamata proposed his name, he received a number of calls from opposition leaders offering their support for his candidature.

    “I have taken a few days to discuss this unexpected development with my family and senior colleagues. I am deeply touched by the support that I’ve received & honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country,” Abdullah said.

    He said he believes J&K is passing through a critical juncture and his efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times.

    “I have a lot more active politics ahead of me and look forward to making a positive contribution in the service of J&K and the country. Therefore I would like to respectfully withdraw my name from consideration and I look forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate,” said Abdullah.

    He said he was grateful to Mamata for proposing his name.

    “I’m also grateful to all the senior leaders who offered me their support,” added NC president.

    Abdullah is expected to play a key role in the party’s electoral politics in J&K.

    He will lead the party’s campaign in the first-ever Assembly polls of J&K Union Territory, which may be held by the end of this year.

  • Farooq Abdullah demands Rs 20 lakh compensation to each of families of tunnel accident victims 

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Sunday sought Rs 20 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in a tunnel collapse on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

    In a statement, Abdullah said the deceased were the sole breadwinners for their poor families.

    ALSO READ | Jammu & Kashmir tunnel collapse: Bodies of all 10 labourers pulled out in Ramban district

    The unfortunate event, he said, has left the victims’ families in dire straits, he said.

    He called upon the Jammu and Kashmir administration to reach out to the affected families.

    Ten persons were killed after a landslide hit an under-construction tunnel in Ramban district of Jammu.

    The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced an ex gratia of Rs five lakh and asked the construction company to pay Rs 15 lakh each to the families of the victims. 

  • NC chief Farooq Abdullah calls for larger role for women in policy planning, decision-making

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Asserting that the National Conference has all along been striving for gender equality, party president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday laid emphasis on political empowerment of women and their larger role in policy planning and decision-making.

    “Involvement of women in decision-making and policy planning is necessary for achieving comprehensive, unbiased and sustainable development, which will eventually lead to harmonious growth of the society,” Abdullah, a former chief minister, said.

    Interacting with the newly constituted provincial women wing of the party at a function here, Abdullah referred to measures taken by his party over the years for women empowerment and emancipation and said this is necessary for promoting leadership roles among them.

    Provincial president of the women wing Satwant Kour Dogra introduced the new office-bearers.

    Congratulating them, Abdullah said due to the prevailing situation the women of Jammu and Kashmir have been the worst sufferers.

    “Discrimination and depravity at the societal and domestic-level with our mothers and sisters is not unknown in this part of the world.

    Rising unemployment and inflation in J&K is also having a cascading effect on our promising women,” he said.

    “Having women in politics, it goes without saying, will attune party policies towards the needs of women and prepare them for the leadership roles to face the challenges of the present and future,” he said.

    “The need of the hour is to provide a platform to aspiring women and help in creating impactful voices to take on the looming challenges,” he said and hoped that the functionaries would reach out to the people and help solve their problems.

  • Every election has divided India; bold PM needed to hold everybody together: Farooq Abdullah

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that India needs a “bold” prime minister who can hold everybody together and not divide them for politics, adding that every election has divided the nation.

    While speaking at a book launch event, the National Conference (NC) Chief said, “India needs a bold prime minister who can hold everybody together and not divide for politics but hold India as a whole, whether you are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, anything, that is what India needs.”

    “India doesn’t need divisions. The tragedy is every election has divided India and the Indian people. When will that day come when no longer we will be divided on religion,” he said.

    He further said that India will never be strong unless the people of India is strong.

    The event was organized for a book written on the life of former PM HD Deve Gowda. Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury were present at the event. 

  • Farooq Abdullah says Srinagar attack unfortunate, asks government to hold talks with Pakistan

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday condoled the death of two policemen in a terror attack in Srinagar and asked the government to hold talks with Pakistan to find a way to bring peace in the region.

    He said both India and Pakistan should “shed their egos” and come forward for dialogue.

    He also asked the Centre to “win the hearts” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to put an end to terrorism in the Valley.

    Two policemen were killed and 12 others injured as terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police personnel on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday, the 20th anniversary of the Parliament Attack, according to officials.

    The bus carrying 25 police personnel was attacked in Zewan in Pantha Chowk area.

    “It’s an unfortunate incident. First of all, I pay tributes to the martyrs and tell the government that to end such things, they should talk about winning hearts. If the government of India doesn’t win hearts and remove the distance from Delhi, these things will continue,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled “Furrows in a Field: The Unexplored Life of H D Deve Gowda”.

    It is necessary to control such incidents, he added.

    Responding to reporters’ questions, the NC president said “both India and Pakistan should shed their egos and come forward for talks” to resolve issues.

    “I will keep saying that India should hold talks with Pakistan, no matter how much you criticise (me). Deve Gowda had also tried (when he was the prime minister). Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also tried, he was not a fool,” he said.

    Abdullah said an atmosphere can be created if efforts are made in this direction by the government.

    “If you think that we will hold a dialogue when the last bullet stops, it will be too late….both countries need to shed their egos and find a way out so that people are saved and progress takes place,” he said.

    He asked, “If you (Centre) can hold talks with China, which killed (our) 22 soldiers and is sitting on our land (territory), why can’t you hold talks with Pakistan? Why don’t you go to war with them (China)?” According to police, two to three terrorists were involved in Monday’s attack and they managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness.

    The area has been cordoned off and a search operation launched to track down the assailants, the officials said.

  • Like farmers, people of J&K may have to make ‘sacrifices’ to get back their rights: Farooq Abdullah

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir may have to make “sacrifices”, as farmers protesting the new farm laws did, to restore its statehood and special status.

    Addressing a convention of the NC’s youth wing on the occasion of the 116th birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at his mausoleum at Naseembagh here, Abdullah, however, said his party does not support violence.

    After almost a year of protests by farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 19 announced the decision to repeal the farm laws passed last year to ease rules around the sale, pricing and storage of crops.

    Parliament passed a bill to repeal the farm laws on the first day of the ongoing Winter Session on November 29.

    “(The farmers protested for) 11 months, more than 700 farmers died. The Centre had to revoke the three farm bills when farmers made sacrifices. We may also have to make sacrifices like that to get back our rights.

    “Remember this, we have promised to get back (Articles) 370, 35-A and statehood and we are ready to make any sacrifice,” Abdullah said.

    The NC, however, is not against brotherhood and does not support violence, he said.

    The Centre revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two union territories on August 5, 2019.

    On the recent Hyderpora encounter and how the families of two civilians killed in the operation forced the administration to return their bodies, Abdullah said it was made possible because people showed unity.

    He demanded that the body of another person, Amir Magray, killed in the encounter also be returned to his family.

    “Three innocent people were killed (in the Hyderpora encounter). When people raised their voices, they (the administration) returned the bodies so that their kin could bury them. This is what unity can do.”

    “But the body of one person has still not been returned to his family. How many innocent people would they have killed this way? We will hold them accountable. He (God) will also hold them accountable and no one will escape that,” the NC chief said.

    Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks that tourism has increased in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah said “as if tourism is everything” when it comes to the union territory.

    “You had promised 50,000 jobs, where are they? Rather you are terminating our people. Were there no people for employing in the (Jammu & Kashmir) Bank that you got people from Punjab and Haryana? “Where will the boys and girls from J&K go? But if we raise our voices, they are crushed. The media is facing pressure, they (journalists) are summoned to police stations if they write anything against (the government). And they (government) say there is freedom,” he said.

    Abdullah asked NC workers to remain united and hold the party flag high.

    “Many enemies will come and try to pull you (away) from the party, be wary (of them). They are roaming around. Do not listen to them and remain with the party,” he said.