With the announcement of election dates, political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have swung into action. On Tuesday, the National Conference unveiled its manifesto, offering 12 guarantees. These include the restoration of Article 370, statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, and implementation of the autonomy proposal passed by the assembly in 2000. The BJP has termed NC's manifesto as anti-national.
In June 2000, a proposal was passed by the National Conference government led by Farooq Abdullah, seeking to restore the constitutional position of the state as it was before 1953. However, this was rejected by the central cabinet led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2019, the Narendra Modi government revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
NC's manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections includes promises of amnesty for all political prisoners and the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley. The party also promises 200 units of free electricity, solutions to electricity and water crises, transfer of hydroelectric projects to Jammu and Kashmir, and free annual distribution of 12 LPG cylinders to economically weaker sections.
According to PTI, during a press conference, NC's Vice President Omar Abdullah stated that the party only makes promises it can fulfill. He described the manifesto as NC's vision document and governance roadmap. The manifesto includes 12 broad promises, including efforts to implement the autonomy proposal passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2000.
The NC's election document states, "We aim to restore Article 370-35A and the state's status as it was prior to August 5, 2019." In the interim, "we will reframe the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, and the rules of business for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir."
Promise to release prisoners
The manifesto pledges that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, in its first working session after the elections, will pass a resolution against the center's decision to strip the region of its special status and statehood. It will work to amend, repeal, and rescind any laws affecting Jammu and Kashmir's special status passed after August 5, 2019. The party also promises to protect the land and employment rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, encourage dialogues between India and Pakistan, and ensure the release of prisoners held in jails.
Announcements for youth and women
The manifesto includes a simplified job verification process, addressing the "unjust" dismissal of employees, and ending harassment of people on highways. The National Conference promises a comprehensive job package within 180 days of coming to power, one lakh jobs, and filling all vacancies in government departments. Another promise aims to provide Rs 5000 per month to the female heads of families from socially and economically weaker sections.
Additionally, the manifesto promises to strengthen the public distribution system, provide 10 kilograms of rice/flour per person each month, and work towards establishing a minority commission. The manifesto states that the party will implement its WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) report to eradicate the drug menace.
Free medical insurance for the sick
The party promises to strengthen the agriculture and horticulture sectors, build robust healthcare infrastructure, and establish a medical trust providing free insurance of Rs 5 lakh per year for people needing heart and kidney transplants or suffering from fatal diseases like cancer.
The election document promises to give the tourism sector an industry status, discover new tourism destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pir Panjal, Chenab, and other regions. The National Conference promises free education up to the university level and a robust plan for the education sector. Expansion of Srinagar and Jammu cities is also on the agenda.
BJP hits back
The BJP has criticized National Conference's manifesto, calling it anti-national. In a press conference, BJP MP from Jammu, Jugal Kishore Sharma, and Jammu-Kashmir BJP's chief spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, said that the NC's manifesto supports separatists. They accused National Conference of wanting the return of the dark days of stone-pelting and protests. According to them, NC is misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Elections in three phases
The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be announced on October 4. Last December, the Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission to hold the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30.
