'Gupkar declaration a mockup of Sheikh Abdullah’s Plebiscite front, destined to fail'

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national General Secretary Ram Madhav Friday termed the Gupkar declaration a mockup of Sheikh Abdullah’s Plebiscite front stating that the new move of National Conference and other regional parties was destined to fail as seen in the past.

Madhav stated this while holding deliberations with the party leaders, district presidents, and office bearers at Circuit House Srinagar. The BJP leader was on a two-day visit to Srinagar since Thursday.

Party leaders, who were present in the meeting said that Madhav while commenting on the recent political move by National Conference, PDP, CPI(M), Peoples Conference and other parties under the title of Gupkar declaration, as “a step quite similar to what Sheikh Abdullah did while in prison", KNO reported.

“NC founder Sheikh Abdullah started Plebscite front from the prison. When he was released after serving 22 years in prison, he was given the post of Chief Ministership. He grabbed the post and headed the then State but forgot the Plebiscite front which he had floated to stay relevant,” a party leader quoted Madhav as having said in the meeting. “After Sheikh’s death, NC leaders raised the issue of autonomy. But when the party came into power, it overlooked autonomy and started enjoying the power.”

The main message we got is that we have to be prepared for elections in the UT. He (Madhav) told us that you do not have to think that elections will be held after months or years….he told us that we have to work hard as if elections will be held tomorrow,” BJP media incharge Manzoor Bhat said, as per the Tribune.

Gupkar declaration’ is nothing but a drama

He said Madhav also told them that the ‘Gupkar declaration’ was being floated just to befool the people yet again. “Regarding the political developments, he said the ‘Gupkar declaration’ is nothing but a drama and the National Conference (NC) was again trying to befool the people. He said the people do not care about them (NC) anymore. They (NC) want to come back but they cannot. On their clamour to bring back Article 370, Ram Madhav said the clock cannot move backwards,” said Bhat.

Madhav had arrived here days after six main political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, announced that they stood by the ‘Gupkar declaration’ and will jointly fight for the restoration of Article 370. The declaration had been passed at the Gupkar residence of NC president Farooq Abdullah on August 4 last year.

Madhav, according to the party leader, told the meeting that Gupkar declare is another political stunt by NC and other parties to stay relevant. “Article 370 rollback is irreversible and Gupkar declaration is destined to fail,” the BJP General Secretary told the meeting, as per the party leader, who was present. Pertinently, Gupkar declaration vows to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to J&K.

Madhav said the people in Kashmir have fully endorsed the Modi Government’s decision of August 5 and October 31 last year and there was no protest anywhere in Kashmir against the same. Even the people rejected the Black Day call given by some parties on August 5, the first anniversary of the abrogation of 370 and 35 A which means that there are no takers of the parties signatories to Gupkar Declaration in Kashmir.

Allaying fears of party men on account of security threat, Madhav assured them that every step will be taken to ensure proper security to the partymen as well as elected Sarpanches. He said the party leaders will be accommodated in security zones at district head quarters and tehsil headquarters.

Madhav during his visit today is believed to have met the leaders of Apni Party, some former legislators, representatives of business community and prominent citizens and discussed the current situation in the UT with them.

Madhav asked the party men to gear up for Panchyat elections

Sources privy to the meeting said that Madhav asked the party men to gear up for Panchyat elections that would be held within two months. “He also stated that District Development Council (DDC) elections will also be held for the first time soon and BJP must remain ready for that,” they said.

The sources also revealed that Madhav also stressed on the party workers to remain in touch with the people on ground level as the delimitation process was going on and when the exercise will complete, J&K will witness Assembly polls.

Madhav, sources said, directed the party leaders and workers to strengthen the party at levels and to reach out to people to listen to their grievances and take up the same with the Lieutenant Governor for immediate redressal. The BJP General Secretary also assured the party that “adequate security arrangements” will be put in place for the BJP workers and leaders facing threats from militants and safe accommodations will be provided to all those who are under threat.

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