BJP's Nirmal Singh Slams National Conference Manifesto Ahead of J&K Polls

BJP leader Nirmal Singh has criticized National Conference's manifesto, calling it unrealistic and misleading. Singh noted that the promises, such as restoring Article 370 and holding talks with Pakistan, are beyond NC's authority. The NC released its manifesto ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls beginning September 18.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nirmal Singh has strongly criticized the recently released manifesto of the National Conference (NC) party, describing it as "misleading" and out of touch with reality. Singh highlighted that promises such as the restoration of Article 370 and engaging in talks with Pakistan are beyond the NC's jurisdiction.

"The National Conference's legs are not on the ground. They are staking claim on changing such things that don't even fall under their jurisdiction," Singh commented about the NC's commitment to restoring Article 370, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "Article 370 has been rejected even by the constitutional bench, so this is just to fool the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Singh further dismissed the NC's pledge to initiate talks with Pakistan, noting such matters fall under the Ministry of External Affairs. "Another thing that they claim is that they will hold talks with Pakistan. It is yet another trick to fool the people of J&K because it solely depends upon the foreign ministry, who it wants to hold talks with," he stated.

In the lead-up to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections beginning September 18, the National Conference launched its manifesto on Monday, promising 12 guarantees to the people of the Union Territory. The manifesto, unveiled by the party's Vice President Omar Abdullah, includes promises such as the restoration of Article 370, 35-A, and statehood; redrawing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019; and the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

The NC's first guarantee involves restoring the political and legal status of the Union Territory, pledging to reinstate Article 370-35A and statehood before August 5, 2019. "In the interim period, the party will strive to redraw the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. The party has also said that in the first assembly session, they will bring a resolution against the Centre's decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status," the manifesto added.

The second guarantee includes several promises such as freeing political prisoners, the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, a simplified job verification process, ease of passport verification, and an end to unjust terminations and unnecessary harassment on highways.

The third guarantee proposes a comprehensive job package for the youth. According to the Election Commission of India, polling in the UT will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with vote counting set for October 4.

(With inputs from agencies.)