NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 03 (NVI): With the first phase of elections in J&K inching closer, major political parties, BJP, Congress, Sajad Lone’s Peoples Conference, Jailed Member Parliament Er Rashid’s Awami Itehad Party (AIP) have failed to release their respective poll manifestos.
Taking the lead, National Conference was the first to release party manifesto promising 200 units of free electricity besides restoring the statehood and Article 370. PDP was second to release the manifesto advocating dialogue with Pakistan for resolution of Kashmir issue and throwing open traditional routes connecting Kashmir with the Central Asia.
Apni Party led by Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari also released the manifesto promising 300 free units of power in summers and 500 units in winters besides “general amnesty” for all the jailed youth. Interestingly, power is the major poll plank of political parties in J&K.
However, other major political parties—BJP, Congress, Peoples Conference, Er Rashid’s Awami Itehad Party (AIP) have failed to release the poll manifestos so far even as first phase of election is just 15 days away.
BJP had formed committees for Central, South and North Kashmir to get feedback from people of all districts in Kashmir before finalizing the manifesto. Similar exercise was carried in Jammu region. However, party has failed to release the manifesto so far. “We will be releasing it soon. It has been sent for printing,” said BJP J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur. He, however, admitted that there was a little delay in releasing the manifesto. “I believe it would either be released by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah.” Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah are scheduled to visit J&K on September 16 to address two rallies in Kashmir and Jammu respectively.
Congress party too has failed to release its manifesto. J&K PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra told NVI that the party will release the same within a few days.
Similarly, Er Rashid’s AIP too haven’t released party manifesto so far. A party leader said the party may or may not release the manifesto. The party has fielded its candidates strategically in constituencies set for a tough battle that includes Ganderbal where big wigs, Omar Abdullah of NC, Bashir Mir of PDP are already in the fray. AIP has fielded former Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president Sheikh Ashiq from Ganderbal. Peoples Conference Sajad Lone too haven’t released manifesto yet. (News Vibes of India)
