Budgam, Jan 08: Chairman of Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, on Monday cautioned the public against “power-hungry” political parties that, he claimed, were attempting to deceive the public with exploitative slogans.
Speaking at a public rally in Khan Sahib, Yaseen accused these parties of repeatedly betraying the people’s trust for their own political gains over the past 70 years.
Addressing the gathering, he asserted that these political parties had prioritized their thirst for power over the interests and aspirations of the people. He urged the public to teach these parties a lesson, saying that they were once again dreaming of seizing power.
The PDF chief criticized them for making Article 370 hollow during their previous administrations and now shedding crocodile tears over its restoration. He accused them of being masters of changing colours like chameleons to manipulate ground situations as per their convenience.
Hakeem claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have now understood that these parties thrive on deceitful politics and emotional manipulation. “The people desire a peaceful life with dignity and honour, seeking constitutional guarantees for their rights on land and employment,” he said.
The former minister called for the early restoration of statehood and fair assembly elections. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to address the socio-political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The externally-sponsored turmoil over the past thirty years has ruined the future of the people, and they now yearn for their elected government to address their grievances,” he said.
Hakeem said there has been a deep disconnect between the common people and the administration in the absence of an elected government for the past nine years. He said there is a need for accountability on the ground. “The restoration of statehood and fair assembly elections would serve as effective confidence-building measures to restore mutual trust and confidence between the people and the Centre,” he said.
Yaseen called on party cadres to expand their public outreach, assuring the people that PDF would continue its mission to safeguard the socio-political interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Centre should understand the concerns of the people, who are primarily worried about safeguarding their honour and identity.
