Elections 2019: CPI (M) Appeals People of J&K to Vote Against Communal BJP Govt

Stating that to vote was important to defend the identity and special status of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of Article 370 and Article 35A, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik on April 15 urged voters to contribute in the process of evicting the authoritarian and communal government led by Narendra Modi.

While addressing the media, Ghulam Nabi said that it is the foremost duty of all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to vote to defeat the mischief-mongering BJP on the floor of the Parliament. For that, people should come out and vote in favour of those who are trusted and capable of defending the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. “The ongoing Lok Sabha election is very important in the prevailing situation. In today’s circumstances, CPI (M) believes that National Conference candidates from Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha constituencies deserve to be supported.”

Highlighting the situation in and around Valley, he said, “Jammu and Kashmir is under huge crisis, except death and destruction nothing has happened in the state for the last five years. Like the rest of the country, the BJP has created polarisation not only between the Jammu and Kashmir regions but also between the two large communities in the state for petty electoral gains. Violence has increased manifold while the social fabric of the state is in tatters.”

Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: What is the Way Forward?

He further said that the prevailing unprecedented crisis is the result of erroneous and faulty policies of the Modi government and the unprincipled alliance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the BJP in 2015. “Despite the use of all measures of force, alienation has only increased on the ground. In 2014, we witnessed massive voters’ participation in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The real issue is that on the political and governance fronts, the PDP-BJP alliance failed to deliver on its promises, and the much-hyped “Agenda of Alliance” proved to be a mere hoax,” he added.

While mentioning about the economic status of J&K, he said that the economy is in shambles as the prices of essential commodities and fuel have gone through the roof. “Demonetisation and implementation of GST resulted in devastating the livelihood of millions of people across the country. Implementation of GST in J&K virtually eroded the fiscal flexibility of our state. It was a big blow to whatever little autonomy was left for the state,” Nabi said.

In the press address, he also talked about the CPI(M)’s stand on the issue of Kashmir. He said that, “The party stands for a political solution to the Kashmir problem based on maximum autonomy for the state based on the full scope of Article 370 of the Constitution; autonomous set-up to be created with the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh being given regional autonomy; oppose all the attempts to remove or review Article 35 (A) of the Constitution. The party also wants an urgent political process through dialogue/talks with all concerned parties and complete withdrawal of AFSPA.”

He further said, “The party believes that excesses by security forces against innocent people should be stopped; and there should be a ban on the use of pellet guns and other lethal weapons on protesters. It also believes in initiating confidence building measures in Kashmir, by talking to all sections of the society and acting upon their genuine grievances. The party strives to ensure economic development of the state, focusing particularly on generating employment for the youth and reconstructing the damaged infrastructure.”

Read more: Address Livelihood Concerns of Kashmiri People: CPI (M)