Srinagar, Oct 25: Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and Handwara MLA, Sajad Gani Lone, on Saturday accused the National Conference (NC) of undermining merit in government jobs and alleged that Kashmiri candidates are being sidelined.
Speaking at a press briefing in Srinagar, Lone announced that his party will soon launch a “full-scale campaign” against the ongoing reservation system. “The government is systematically killing merit. Open merit has been buried. We are starting a door-to-door registration drive to highlight this issue,” he said, warning that the current system “could push Kashmir towards a major disaster.”
He also threatened public action, saying, “If hunger strikes or mass protests are needed, we will not hesitate. Enough is enough.”
Turning to politics, Lone launched a scathing attack on the NC over the recent Rajya Sabha elections. He claimed that the NC itself was responsible for the loss of the fourth seat. “Seven NC MLAs directly gifted their votes to the BJP. It was a fixed match,” he said, accusing the party of hypocrisy for previously accusing others of supporting the BJP.
Lone criticized NC Vice President Omar Abdullah for sidelining the Congress in favor of a losing seat. “A national party like Congress carries weight at the national level. Yet they were deliberately offered a losing fourth seat. The NC’s past Rajya Sabha members brought nothing substantial from Delhi, only personal favors,” he said.
The PC chief also took aim at the NC’s political approach, calling it “submissive before Delhi.” “For seventy years, the story has been the same. They go to Delhi saying ‘hit us, but let us cry.’ They ask for tougher measures while pretending to resist here,” he alleged.
On the abrogation of Article 370, Lone claimed that pre-August 5, 2019, meetings between Delhi and NC leaders were marked by repeated “betrayals.” He urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to recognize the long-standing political deception.
“The BJP ensures its candidates’ victories through these very people. They criticize the BJP publicly, but behind the scenes, they work together,” Lone said.
He added that he was thankful to have abstained from voting in the RS elections. “I thank Allah that I stayed away from this corrupt process. Otherwise, all fingers would have been pointed at me,” he concluded.
