NC Failed to Fulfil Promises Made Since 1947, Says Naeem Akhtar

Convener News Desk 

Bandipora, Jan 01:  Former Education Minister and senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Naeem Akhtar, on Thursday alleged that the National Conference (NC) has failed to fulfil the promises it has made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947, accusing the party of repeatedly misleading voters on issues of rights, struggle and autonomy.

Addressing a party workers’ convention in Bandipora, Akhtar said votes were sought over decades in the name of larger political and collective causes, but the promises made to the people were never realised. “From 1947 till today, no promise made by the National Conference to the people of Kashmir has been fulfilled. The same situation continues even now,” he said.

Akhtar alleged that while NC leaders and their families benefited politically, the people of Jammu and Kashmir who voted with hope and trust continue to face unemployment and uncertainty. He claimed that what was projected as a collective mandate for public welfare was eventually reduced to personal and family-centric politics.

Raising concerns over unemployment, the PDP leader said that nearly 50 per cent of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir are without jobs, calling the situation alarming. He added that if a government is unable to provide relief to the people, it should refrain from actions that further hurt public sentiment.

“A government that functions only to serve the interests of one party leadership weakens democratic values and erodes public trust,” Akhtar said.

Urging party workers to intensify efforts at the grassroots level, Akhtar called upon them to strengthen the PDP’s organisational base in Bandipora and across the region.

The convention also witnessed several political workers and leaders joining the People’s Democratic Party, with Akhtar welcoming the new entrants into the party fold.