Some parties emotionally blackmailing J

Srinagar, May 20 (UNI) The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir has come down heavily on some political parties for indulging in the practice of ''emotional blackmail by raising sentimental slogans'' to deceive the people of the state.

Senior state Congress vice president Abdul Gani Vakil told a public meeting in north Kashmir that the people have suffered a lot due to such exploitation. Some political parties with only motive to grab power were indulging in this kind of politics and deceiving the people of the state, he added.

Without naming any political party, Mr Vakil said the bitter experience have made the people wiser enough to understand the motive behind raising such slogans. ''At present, there are no takers for these slogans,'' he added.

''Autonomy, self-rule, pre-1953 position ideas are being hyped to grab power,'' the Congress leader said, apparently referring to the Peoples Democratic Party and the National Conference.

He said the days of such political skullduggery were gone and the people have become wiser enough to read between the lines. The prime concern of the people was restoration of peace, development, job opportunities and progress, Mr Vakil added.

''Unfortunately, instead of addressing these vital issues, some parties are raising hollow slogans and emotionally blackmailing the innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said.

The Congress leader reiterated his party's stand for a dialogue with militants, saying that if they shun violence and come to the negotiating table, the government was ready to hold talks with them.

UNI