NC will fight the battle to restore J-K's statehood, says DY CM Surinder Choudhary

Jammu, Jul 11 (PTI) Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday said the National Conference would fight whatever battle is required for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

He said the Omar Abdullah-led government had always assured that Jammu would not suffer Pathankot's fate after Kashmir was connected to the rest of the country through train service.

It is often said that when rail service extended from Pathankot to Jammu, Pathankot's fortunes, key business hub, declined. A similar concern exists today — that if trains begin running directly to Kashmir from Delhi, it could impact Jammu the way Pathankot was affected.

"We will fight for it (restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood). Whatever struggle is needed for statehood, we will fight that battle," Choudhary told reporters here.

Asked whether the party would contest elections again if statehood is restored, he said, "Why wouldn't we contest elections? After lakhs of sacrifices, we received this democracy. Dr Ambedkar gave us this Constitution and democracy. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and hundreds of young martyrs laid down their lives for this democracy. Why shouldn't we contest elections? We will contest, but we will do so for the cause of restoring statehood." He said the history of the National Conference is one of struggle.

"The very name National Conference is synonymous with sacrifice. We have laid down our lives for the survival of Jammu and Kashmir, for the nation, and for the national flag—and we will continue to do so," he said.

On apprehensions that Jammu may suffer business losses due to Kashmir's rail connectivity and end up like Pathankot, Choudhary said, "Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has always assured that Jammu will not be reduced to Pathankot. He has constantly expressed concern over this issue. He is a leader who represents all communities and all religions. He repeatedly said that he will never allow Jammu to become another Pathankot." He said the chief minister had raised this concern many times with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

"The train was essential—it was a dream come true for the people of Kashmir. Many leaders in India had envisioned this, and that dream became a reality once the train reached Kashmir. After this connectivity, the Omar Abdullah government is making every effort to ensure that Jammu does not get sidelined like Pathankot. New schemes should be brought in for Jammu, and tourism must be invited and promoted in this region," he said.

Asked about the government's roadmap in this regard, he said the government always had a vision on it.

Replying to a question on the cancellation of the holiday on Martyrs' Day on July 13, he said, "What crime is there in remembering martyrs? Every community, every religion has the right to remember its martyrs. If we grant such holidays in other places, then what harm is there in declaring a holiday here too?" On the controversy involving National Conference MP Aga Syed Rahulla and the Lieutenant Governor, he said, "This is a matter for Rahulla and the Lieutenant Governor to answer. I have nothing to do with it." On the regularisation of daily wagers, the deputy chief minister said the task had been assigned to a committee formed under the leadership of the chief secretary.

"We have given them a task. When the chief secretary visits here, he will be asked what action has been taken on it," he said.

The National Conference on Friday paid tributes to Begum Akbar Jahan, wife of former chief minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and mother of Dr Farooq Abdullah, on her 25th death anniversary.

A commemorative event was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here to mark the occasion, during which Choudhary and senior leaders addressed the gathering. PTI AB HIG HIG