PDP picking agenda points from separatist camp: NC

Srinagar, June 13 (UNI) The main opposition National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir today criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for ''its politics of hypocrisy'' and picking agenda points from the separatist camp.

''The PDP seems to be determined to occupy all entire spectrum of political opinion, especially in Kashmir. This politics of hypocrisy is dangerous and needs to be brought to an end immediately,'' an NC spokesman said in a statement here.

He alleged that the PDP leaders enjoy all the benefits of ministries, big houses, staff and perks. ''They take credit for government successes, few and far between as they may be, highlighting them as their own,'' the spokesman added.

He said their Patron (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) takes a conciliatory line towards Delhi so as not to upset their benefactor there.

''They pick and choose agenda points from the separatist camp.

They talk about accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India being final, yet they wave green handkerchief at their public meetings to mislead people about their true agenda. Their president (Mehbooba Mufti) in her job description has kept this task with her,'' he added.

The spokesman said the PDP leaders increasingly seek to occupy the space of opposition party after November last year. ''They condemn events that have occurred as if they have no hand in those events,'' he claimed.

''Let us look at the recent events in the state. Kupwara and the alarming regularity with which human rights are violated, the PDP publicly sheds crocodile tears, yet happily sits at the head table to enjoy the fruits of power,'' the spokesman alleged.

He said a senior politician was assaulted in Jammu at a news conference and again the PDP sheds tear, ignoring the fact that their government controls the police which was ''unable or unwilling'' to secure the venue.

The spokesman said the recent spurt in violence, the targeted attacks against tourists and minorities and the worsening law and order situation, killing of innocent people in Wullar area and also in Kupwara district was not acceptable at all.

''Protesting against any wrong act done by the establishment is our right and we don't deserve bullets for exercising this right.

The Congress and the PDP are equal partners in all this,'' he said.

The spokesman said if the PDP took credit for improvement in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad then it should also be blamed for the stagnation that has crept into the dialogue process.

If the PDP took credit for the opening of a bus service between Srinagar and Muzafarabad last year then it must take the blame for the failure of the service to link people, he added.

''How can a party that forced India and Pakistan to bury decades- old distrust when they started the bus service, not force the two countries to ease travel restrictions that has plagued it?'' the spokesman asked.

He said the time has now come for the PDP to decide what political space it wish to occupy.

''They cannot run with hares and hunt with the hounds. They cannot continue to enjoy the advantages of being in alliance with the government both in Delhi and Srinagar and yet continue to oppose the very same government,'' the spokesman said.

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