Srinagar: Mainstream Kashmir parties, who are signatories to the Gupkar Declaration, have formed an alliance to seek reversal of the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir made on August 5, 2019, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah announced on Thursday. The alliance has been keeping a close watch on all the important political developments in the State and are keeping their leaders informed.
The move by the regional parties has created a flutter in the political circles following which Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) also convened a meeting of 100 party leaders and representatives of various religious outfits.
The announcement of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration was made after the signatories met at Abdullah's residence here. The meeting took place after PDP President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti was released from detention after 14 months.
The signatories of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration are Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, People’s Conference, JK People’s Movement, CPM and Awami National Conference. On August 22 this year, the signatories had issued a joint statement reiterating their commitment to the Gupkar deceleration.
The Declaration, made on August 4, 2019, had called for safeguarding the identity, autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Attacking National Conference's step, BJP called it a 'Pakistan's agenda'. However, all the regional parties in the region are at loggerheads due to various reasons but still, they have joined hands which may benefit BJP in the long run.
READ: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch
Talking to ETV Bharat, BJP's Chief in Jammu and Kashmir Ravinder Raina said, "Gupkar Declaration is an alliance of anti-nationals and an agenda of Pakistan and its sponsored terrorism. Article 370 was misused for the past 70 years to allow terrorism and its related activities in the region. The backward and poor people have suffered the most. Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti want to restore that 'special status' which killed innocent people and made Kashmir a pool of blood. They have cheated people in the name of article 370 and at no cost, it will be restored."
According to sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has seeking reports in connection with the political meets happening in Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP, which is already facing the brunt from all sides for scrapping article 370, is not in a position to allow things to slip from their hands. The Gupkar deceleration has raised eyebrows and can mount troubles for the saffron party.
A BJP delegation is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of the announcement of the People's Alliance. A series of killings of BJP leaders by the militants in the Jammu and Kashmir has triggered a sense of fear and insecurity in the party. More than 40 party leaders have tendered their resignation after the killings.
Political observers said that BJP is the only party in the valley which works at a grassroot level in regional politics.
A meeting called by Lieutenant-General Manoj Sinha assured extended security to the BJP leaders in the region. Sinha said that the party is taking adequate steps to look after their security. Most of the sarpanches are associated with the ruling party and directions have been given to party workers to work for the welfare and betterment of the people and gain their trust.
READ: Corruption free governance, development my priority: Manoj Sinha
With IANS inputs
