Srinagar, Sep 23 (KNO): People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Tuesday strongly criticized the National Conference (NC) leadership for what he termed as a “betrayal of people’s trust” by hiding behind the pretext of statehood restoration to avoid fulfilling their election manifesto promises.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Hakeem Yaseen said that the remarks of the Hon’ble Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, that the NC government cannot implement its manifesto until full statehood is granted to Jammu and Kashmir, are both shocking and misleading. “Mr. Rather himself was part of the manifesto framing committee and he was fully aware that NC was contesting elections in the Union Territory setup, not as a state. If they knew they would have no powers to implement their promises, then why mislead the people with tall claims during the elections?” Yaseen asked.
He said such excuses amount to deceiving the aspirations of the people, who voted for NC in the hope of change, development, and restoration of confidence in the democratic process. “Manifestos are solemn commitments to the people, not mere political documents that can be brushed aside later with excuses,” he added.
The PDF leader also referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s repeated statements wherein he has publicly admitted that his government cannot do much, citing “limited powers” and “lack of authority” under the Union Territory arrangement. Yaseen said this is nothing but an attempt to shift responsibility and escape accountability. “If NC had no roadmap and no capacity to deliver under the present circumstances, then it should not have raised false hopes in the first place,” he remarked.
Hakeem Yaseen urged the NC leadership to come clean before the people and stop indulging in blame-shifting. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve sincerity and honest governance, not hollow rhetoric and excuses. “Instead of hiding behind the statehood issue, the government should focus on maximizing the existing powers of the elected setup, addressing basic needs of the people, ensuring transparency in governance, and working for peace and development,” he stressed.
The PDF President stated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not forgive those who mislead them with false promises and then abandon their responsibilities once in power. “History will judge the NC government harshly if it continues to betray public trust in this manner,” Yaseen warned—(KNO)