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| Rahul to seek votes for NC in Anantnag | | Geelani calls shutdown, boycott | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, April 26: Charismatic young leader and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will speak for the National Conference in South Kashmir tomorrow but how much votes his presence is able to fetch is a guess work.
In Kashmir Valley where regional politics is deep and national parties are pushed to the bay, Rahul’s rally in South Kashmir is being seen by the observers as a spoiler for the National Conference which could have done well by pursuing its own agenda.
This will be Rahul’s maiden campaign meeting in Kashmir valley and second in the State. Rahul had earlier addressed twin election meetings with Omar Abdullah in Vijaypur and Kathua in favour of Congress candidates from Jammu and Udhampur parliamentary seats.
Senior state police officers incharge of security duties accompanied DGP police Kuldeep Khoda to the rally ground in South Kashmir and took stock of the arrangements after reviewing the security details. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah camping in Kashmir is personally taking stock of the election campaign meeting and is trying to make most out of it. It remains to be seen whether Rahul alone would be able to pull enough crowd in Kashmir to better chances of NC candidate Dr Mehboob Baig against PDP's Peer Hussain.
Reports said that the security apparatus in the district has been kept at high alert to ensure trouble free visit of the Congress leader who will address a rally at Dak Bunglow Anantnag on Monday afternoon.
Reports said close circuit cameras were installed at various places to maintain a constant vigil over sensitive spots and peoples movement. Sniffer dogs have also been pressed in to service to detect hidden explosive devices.
Sources said that Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address a gathering at sports stadium. However, the venue was later changed to Dak Buglow, following security concerns.
“Elaborate security arrangements to ensure smooth function in the district tomorrow. Our men are keeping a constant vigil at all the sensitive spots in the district,” Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Rakesh Kumar told
“We have also strengthened security around Dak Bunglow where Rahul Gandhi will address the gathering,” he added.
High alert has been sounded in entire South Kashmir in view of the VVIP movement and all the entry and exit routes have been sealed to prevent any major militant strike ahead of voting. Rahul Gandhi' election rally assumes much greater significance especially in the light of renewed poll boycott call given by the All parties Hurriyat Conference after initial flip-flop.
Meanwhile, the senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a shutdown in Anantnag and urged people to boycott the election meeting. Urging the people of Islamabad to observe complete shutdown to protest the visit of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to the district, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Sunday said he would welcome and hug Rahul had he visited valley as a tourist.
“I have no personal grudge with Rahul Gandhi as an individual, but he is coming to valley as General Secretary of Congress party that is responsible for the present plight of Kashmiris. Had he come to valley as a visitor, I would welcome and hug him,” Geelani said.
“We object to the visit of the Congress General Secretary to the disputed territory. I urge the people of Islamabad district to observe strike to protest his visit,” he added.
Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman said that it was the Congress leader and first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru who promised the people of Kashmir in historic Lal Chowk that they will be given the right to self determination. He said six decades have passed but India has not fulfilled the promise.
“I want to remind India and the Congress party that it was Jawaharlal Nehru who took the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council and promised that the Kashmiri nation will be given the opportunity to decide their fate,” Geelani said.
“It is the high time for India to shun its rigid stand and resolve Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he added.
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