CAUTIONING PEOPLE against the nefarious designs of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership to mislead people, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday said that one should bear in mind the sacrifices made by the National Conference for the people of Jammu and Kashmir since 1931.

Addressing election rallies at Watkulo, Choudhary Gund, Bichru and Loolipora in Charar-i-Sharief constituency, Rather said that hollow sloganeering and unabashed lying have become the tradition of PDP. He asserted that the party is actually an extended arm of the BJP, upon whose behest it acts.

Rather said that the National Conference is committed to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and resolution of all issues in an amicable manner. “Our endeavour will be to create a conducive atmosphere for resumption of talks between the Union Government and the separatists. The initiative for the same would be taken soon after the new government takes over at the Centre,” he said, adding that since good Indo-Pak relations were imperative for lasting peace in the sub-continent, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference would play an important role in the peace process.

The Finance Minister said that the National Conference-Congress coalition government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was committed to the equitable development of all the three regions, adding that the focus of attention would be on the development of hitherto left unattended and underdeveloped areas.

Asking the people to vote in favour of National Conference candidate Dr Farooq Abdullah in large numbers, Rather said that in the success of Dr Farooq Abdullah, lies the success of the people. He said that nobody can better represent the people of Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary constituency and Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament other than Dr Farooq Abdullah.