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'PDP fielded candidates in Jammu region to dilute anti-BJP vote'

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IANS Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference (NC) Saturday accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of fielding candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu region to dilute the anti-BJP vote.

"PDP is part of an elaborate plan to dilute the anti-BJP votes in the Jammu region to help (BJP prime ministerial candidate) Narendra Modi," NC spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said here.

"This is being done under an understanding between the PDP and the BJP wherein PDP has extended tactical support to BJP in J&K in lieu of promises to be installed in the government here.

"These tactical decisions have been taken in meetings between PDP leaders and Modi's close associates in New Delhi. Such antics are bound to fail as PDP has no space in the future of the state," he added.

 

Mattu further alleged the PDP has never believed in safeguarding the aspirations, sentiments and the regional character of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This new act of betrayal with the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a new low in PDP's brief history. While Mufti Muhammad Sayeed might be willing to do Modi's work in J&K even if that meant supporting his commitment to abrogate Article 370, the people of this state will not allow Modi to infiltrate into J&K through the 'Trojan Horse' of PDP."

In a statement issued here, Mattu also alleged there was an obvious pattern to PDP's candidate fielding and selection in Jammu in such areas so as to divide local votes that would be polled against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"At a time when secular forces in the entire country are united to defeat the communal march of the Modi-led BJP, it is tragic that Modi has found such a dedicated brigade of accomplices in J&K, a state that has been a beacon of amity, communal harmony and co-existence for centuries," the statement said.

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First Published: Apr 12 2014 | 9:06 PM IST

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