Sagar blames PDP for facilitating BJP’s entry, ‘eroding’ J&K’s democratic rights

Srinagar, Jul 28: National Conference (NC) General Secretary, Ali Muhammad Sagar on Monday accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of facilitating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) entry into Jammu and Kashmir and enabling the erosion of constitutional and democratic rights in the region.Speaking during an interaction with party leaders, office bearers, workers, and delegations from Tral, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Handwara, and Pulwama, Sagar, according to a party statement issued here, said the PDP and BJP had formed a covert alliance even before the 2014 elections, the effects of which were devastating for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”The people of Jammu and Kashmir once lived with peace and dignity, but the events since 2015 have pushed them into an era of suffering and suppression. Those who once raised slogans of peace and dignity have themselves taken its funeral from this land,” he said.The NC leader blamed PDP for inviting the BJP to power, which he said led to the state’s division into two Union Territories, alleged restrictions on press freedom and religious liberty, and the imposition of an “undemocratic” and bureaucratic system.Reaffirming his party’s commitment, Sagar said the National Conference has always prioritised the people’s interests, made sacrifices, and stood firm in defending their rights. “NC will continue its struggle for the restoration of democracy and the rights of the people,” he assuredOther senior leaders, present on the occasion, included Choudhry Muhammad Ramzan, South Zone President and MLA Rajpura Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Minority Cell Convener Jagdish Singh Azad, Provincial Youth President Mushtaq Mir, Provincial Secretary Sheikh Ovase and various block presidents.