Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM) Chairman Shah Faesal on Thursday urged people to vote for change in the Assembly polls whenever they will be held, adding that Kashmir is placed at the crossroads of its political history.
Starting the poll campaign for the Peoples United Front (PUF) from Uri in Baramulla district, the former IAS officer-turned-politician said “people must vote for change in the state Assembly elections as Kashmir is placed on the crossroads of its political history”.
Assembly elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir after President’s rule in the state was extended for another six months.
Faesal’s JKPM has formed a poll alliance with former MLA and Awami Ittihad party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid under the banner of the PUF.
Without naming the mainstream National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, Faesal said: “They have taken people for granted during the last seventy years and now is the time when they should ask for forgiveness and sit at home to give PUF a chance to serve the people.”
He, however, said the PUF was ready to support the regional and other mainstream political parties if they gave in writing that they will not join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party or other forces who want to abrogate article 35A and article 370.
Faesal claimed that Engineer Rashid could have become a minister in the past if he had compromised on principles.
“We have given up lucrative jobs to serve the people. I also had a chance to join any of those parties, but I preferred to sit at home rather than join those political parties.
“People must be alert because during elections these parties will again come forward to divide voters on the basis of being Gujjars, Paharis and Kashmiris. They have done this in the past 70 years,” Faesal said.
[source_without_link]IANS[/source_without_link]