'NC-Cong combine symbolises deceit'

SRINAGAR: The ruling Peoples Democratic Party today accused the opposition National Conference of being responsible for the "mess" in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed confidence that the ruling party's candidates would win the upcoming bypolls as the "NC-Congress alliance symbolises deceit and treachery". "(National Conference president) Farooq Abdullah and (his son) Omar are the main reasons behind the mess the state was in. The National Conference Congress alliance symbolises deceit and treachery in Jammu and Kashmir," roads and building minister Naeem Akhtar said after attending a poll review meeting at the People's Democratic Party headquarters here. The meeting was held to review the ongoing poll campaign for Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency for which Nazir Ahmed Khan has been fielded as PDP candidate. Akhtar said the NC-Congress alliance has always brought "miseries and added to the sufferings" of people. The two parties have understood that they cannot stand alone against PDP, he said adding "they are down and out". "They are just trying to hoodwink the people with their utterances and political drama as they are fighting the battle for their survival. Farooq Abdullah and his son have made their political debut from this constituency and made it as a stepping stone for getting ministerial berths in New Delhi. "I will be happy to know if the duo can pinpoint a single major intervention they have made in this parliamentary segment which may be seen as their contribution as public representatives in Parliament," Akhtar said.
He said "the moral stand that Farooq, the NC-Congress alliance candidate for by-polls, is trying to take on Kashmir today doesn't stand anywhere because whatever problem Jammu and Kashmir is facing today was the outcome of his party and the Congress handling better part of last 60 years of governance in the state".
"If we feel that we are disempowered today it is because of their politics and policies. These two parties and the leadership are the real architects and implementers of this," he said adding whenever the two came together the main aim was to gain power.
"Whenever they formed an alliance they brought miseries and added to the sufferings of general masses," he said adding "In 1987 the two parties fought the elections together and we are still facing the brunt".
"The present unrest among the masses was the outcome of the policies and programmes the two parties followed during their six years of governance since 2008 reversing all achievements made by PDP-led government on the political and development fronts," the minister said.
"Abdullahs are known for their doublespeak and stands.
They oppose dialogue and peace process with Pakistan and instead advocate war when in power and bracket themselves with separatists when they sit in opposition," he said adding, "They raise slogans of 'Plebiscite', 'Azadi' and 'Autonomy' when they are out of power only as a political trump card to exploit the public sentiments".
The electorate was wise enough to understand the political "dichotomy" of the two parties, Akhtar said adding PDP candidates will win both the constituencies with thumping majority.