Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today said the political stalemate in the wake of a fractured mandate in the Assembly elections has established the fact that only secular forces can pull the diverse regions of the state together as "a strong and vibrant single entity".
"Political stalemate in the wake of a fractured mandate during the highly polarised Assembly elections has established the fact that only secular forces can pull the diverse regions of Jammu and Kashmir together as a strong and vibrant single entity," NC General Secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar said.
"The reactionary and divisive forces might have got away with polarising and vitiating the democratic process but the damage done in the process has put the state at a crossroads," Sagar said addressing a meeting of party functionaries from Doda and Ramban districts at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here.
The meeting, held to discuss the party's performance in the elections, was attended among others by Jammu Provincial President Devender Singh Rana.
Sagar said the mandate has put PDP and BJP in a dilemma as the people have realised the sinister game plan of dividing the regions on religious lines to remain glued to power.
The PDP leadership, he said, has changed colours more frequently than chameleon during the past six decades and hoisted itself on the people in a different avatar to hoodwink the public opinion. "In the enthusiastic pursuit of grabbing power, they employed all tactics to hoodwink public opinion and mislead them during the elections," he said.
On the contrary, Sagar said, National Conference remained steadfast in its approach and carried out its electoral campaign in consonance with the sensitivities of the state.
"We may not have fared well but National Conference did not compromise on its principled stand of upholding secular values and maintaining the single entity of the state," he said, adding that Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah's cherished slogan of 'Hindu, Muslim, Sikh Unity' will remain guiding force for the party and its cadre.
