Farooq Abdullah Urges NC Cadre to End Infighting, Focus on Strengthening Party Ahead of Polls

Srinagar, Dec 05: Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday urged party workers to avoid internal disputes and focus on strengthening the organisation ahead of the next elections.

Addressing party workers at Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal, after paying tributes to his father and JKNC founder Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah said repeated public statements by party functionaries were not helping the organisation.

“Do not only give statements. Strengthen the party. Everyone is making statements but no one is identifying the issue. Just make the party stronger,” he said.

The 88-year-old leader cautioned that political competitors would continue to create difficulties but stressed unity within the party. “Your opponent will create difficulties for you, but you must not be afraid. You have to stay united,” he said.

Abdullah, who served three terms as chief minister of the erstwhile state, also referred to reports of internal discussions on roles and positions within the party.

“It has come to my notice that there are secret conversations about who is in the party and who will get which post. This is not good,” he said.

Over the party’s performance during the first year of the National Conference–led government, Abdullah said many responsibilities rested with the office of the Lieutenant Governor.

“Many people are questioning what the government has done in a year, even our own people. But how much can be done in a single year when many powers lie with the Lieutenant Governor?” he said.

He added that the government and lawmakers were working on public issues.

Abdullah said several organisational decisions taken recently were aimed at strengthening the party. “We need to bring younger leaders forward in the organisation. Young people should lead the party and take the caravan forward. In the coming elections, youth must come forward along with women,” he said.

He said the party would fulfil its commitments over the next four years. “In four years, the National Conference will fulfil every promise made to the people. What is needed is unity,” he said.

The remarks come at a time when the party is witnessing internal disagreement over reservation quotas in government jobs and education.(KNS).

Srinagar, Dec 05: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday called upon party workers to avoid internal disputes and concentrate on strengthening the organisation ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Addressing a gathering at Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal, after paying tributes to party founder Sheikh Abdullah, the NC president said repeated public statements by party members were proving counterproductive.
“Stop giving statements for the sake of it. Strengthen the party. Everyone is speaking, but no one is identifying issues. What we need is a stronger organisation,” he said.

The 88-year-old leader cautioned that political rivals would continue to create hurdles, but underscored the importance of unity. “Your opponents will try to trouble you, but you must not fear. Stay united,” he said.

Referring to reports of internal discussions on roles and positions, Abdullah said such “secret conversations” were harming the organisation. “I have heard whispers about who is in the party and who is getting which post. This is not healthy,” he said.

Responding to criticism over the performance of the NC-led government’s first year in office, Abdullah noted that many key powers were still vested in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. “How much can be achieved in one year when several crucial powers rest with the LG? Despite that, the government and our lawmakers are working on public issues,” he said.

He said recent organisational changes were aimed at making the party more robust and inclusive. “We must bring young leaders to the forefront. Youth and women must lead from the front in the coming elections,” he said.

Assuring that the NC would deliver on its commitments, Abdullah said, “We will fulfil every promise in the next four years. What we need is unity.”

The remarks come amid internal disagreements within the party over reservation quotas in government jobs and educational institutions.