As political parties are scrambling in the Valley to attract voters ahead of the next month’s elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) main ally, Janata Dal (United), has promised the release of stone pelters and political prisoners to “promote peace and reconciliation” in its poll manifesto.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Janata Dal (United) party, which has fielded two candidates in the first phase of next month’s poll, says it has already sent a letter having names of more than 800 stone pelters to the Union Home Ministry, and urged that these jailed persons should be given a chance.
In the party manifesto, which was recently released, the party says as a key partner in the NDA, Janata Dal (United) is “committed to transforming J&K into a leading state, ensuring prosperity and dignity for all its residents.” It further reads, “Our manifesto reflects our promise to restore the aspirations and self-respect of the people of J&K.”
Regarding the “release of political prisoners and stone pelters and also reconciliation efforts,” the party is promising to “review cases and facilitate the release of political prisoners and stone pelters to promote peace and reconciliation”.
The party is seeking release of the stone pelters despite Home Minister Amit Shah’s stern warning against separatists and stone pelters. While the party has made big promises in the poll manifesto, the party has announced only two candidates in the valley in the first phase.
JD (U) state general secretary Vivek Bali, however, says they are announcing candidates phase-wise. “I am sure our candidates will win, in case they don’t, they will give a strong fight to the opponents,” he said. In the primary and guaranteed objectives of the manifesto, the JD (U) has talked about restoring “rights and dignity restoration of aspirations”.
“Reinstate all repealed and amended laws to honour the wishes of the people and restore their self-respect and dignity. The statehood for J&K: Reaffirm our commitment to restoring statehood for J&K as pledged by the Home Minister of India to empower local governance and representation,” it reads.
On the safeguarding lobs and land, the party says it will bring a special protective legislation. “Enact a special law to provide constitutional guarantees for the protection of jobs and land for the people of J&K, ensuring local resources and employment opportunities are safeguarded,” the party said.
Apart from contesting the elections, the JD(U)’s J&K unit is already making efforts to reach out to the separatists and Islamic scholars in the valley. The party says it is acting “like a bridge”. “Our party president has met top clerics, including Moulana Veeri Sahab, Moulana Dawoodi Sahab, Bilal Lone (separatist leader) and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. We are telling them to come into the system and talk to the Government of India,” he said.
In the valley, the party boasts of having more than 10,000 workers. “We had our former sarpanches and municipal councillors as well. People are joining us and after the elections, more people will join us,” said Bali.
