JAMMU MARCH 06: Describing People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of divergent constituents having convergence to safeguard their self-interest under the pretension of public interest, Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today said they owe answers to those who they subjected to an era of unprecedented misery and despair during their rule.

Their selective politicking has hurt the Kashmir psyche more than unrest unleashed by proxies from the neighbouring country, he added.

According to a statement, while ddressing a gathering in Panchayat Baran of Block Bhalwal along with Pradesh Vice President Sham Lal Sharma this afternoon, Mr Rana blamed the opportunist constituents for adding to the mayhem and miseries across the Valley during their misrule, laying trails of agonies.

On the occasion, Sarpanch Baran Saudagar Singh along with his supporters joined BJP.

Without naming People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Rana said the convergence of divergent political actors is not in the public interest but to secure the self-interest. Otherwise,  he said the public memory is not that short to forget the contradictions within the major partners.

The choicest invectives like ‘Gandi Nali Ke Keede’ for the Congress, then led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, are still echoing the valley, Rana said.

He said the amalgam partners have exploited the people of the Valley more than discriminating the Jammu region.

Referring to the peace and calm prevailing in the Valley for the past three years, Rana said calls for bandhs and acts of stone pelting have now become the horror of the past.

“This is because of the sagacious handling of the situation by the administration and realization dawning on the people of the Valley, he said, adding the semblance of normalcy is hurting the exploitative politicians the most because it does not fit in with their sinister scheme of things. The people of Kashmir who are traditionally secular and peace loving by conviction now understand the difference in the governance and significance of peace,” he observed.

Hailing the Delimitation Commission recommendations on enhancing six assembly seats in the Jammu Province and one in the Valley as long awaited and a logical move to ensure political empowerment of all the regions and sub-regions of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, Rana questioned the hullabaloo being raised by some political parties, who actually feel their hegemony on governance is threatened. He said the renewed layout of the Legislative Assembly will witness governance sprouting from the people at the grass roots level and not flowing from the top as copyright to selected ones.

“It will be the people who will be choosing their government in a democratic manner with anyone from Kupwara, Karnah, Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu Anantnag, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar or any other part of the Union Territory donning the mantle to run the UT”, Rana said, adding that the routine of over past seven decades will see a positive change. It will be a change wherein the common people will feel politically empowered and mandated to decide their destiny based on the principles of equitable opportunities of growth to all and deprivation or discrimination to none. Power going to people should not hurt anyone, he added.

Rana said a united and assertive pluralistic, inclusive Jammu region is imperative for strong Jammu and Kashmir, and of course, the country as well.

He said the voice of Jammu is now getting heard which holds promise for better days for the people of all the religions and the sub regions. He recalled how some politicians showed intolerance over Jammu demonstrating its urge for fair-play and equal opportunities in development, progress and jobs. He said he will continue to raise voice for justice with the people of the Jammu region, irrespective of religion or caste, even if it entails any sacrifice.