Regional autonomy only way to assuage people's aspirations: Rana

Jammu, Dec 10: National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana on Saturday described regional autonomy as a pragmatic way forward to address political and developmental aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Time has come for bold initiatives to end alienation and empower all segments of the society, which is in consonance with the political philosophy of National Conference that believes in people being real masters of their destiny", Rana sails while interacting with people at Ranjan in Tanda during his visit to Nagrota assembly constituency.

The regional and sub-regional autonomy, Rana said, will deflate the balloon of hate and mistrust pumped by divisive forces to remain relevant in the vicious environment of religious polarisation. He expressed concern over alarming growth of hate politics and described it contrary to the assimilative ethos of the state. "Empowering people will help foil polarising elements and defeating their agenda of dividing the State", the NC provincial president said, adding that National Conference will always work for strengthening the singular entity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rana said that the three regions of the state have distinct urges and aspirations which can be tackled by constitution of regional councils. “National Conference appreciated this nearly two decades ago and set in motion the process of consultation that led to formulation of Regional Autonomy Report”, Rana said.
The NC provincial president lambasted the BJP for creating hysteria over discrimination for nearly six decades and said that when it came to reckoning they betrayed the people soon after taking over the reins of government. He said the 2014 euphoria is terribly missing with disillusionment growing among people due to policy paralysis of the BJP partnered government, which is struggling to put its act together after plunging the state into unprecedented political and administrative crisis. He said the people of Jammu were particularly feeling let down and betrayed, as their problems, especially on account of utility services like drinking water and power, are accumulating with each passing day.