PDP’s agenda guided by people’s aspirations: Karra
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Minister for Finance, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Tariq Hameed Karra has said in the coming elections the party would seek mandate on its pro-people agenda that has paved the way for dignified peace and participatory economic development for the State and its people.
Addressing public meeting at Gund Hassibhat and Khushipora in Batamaloo constituency today, Mr Karra said PDP’s pro-people agenda, that is at the core of the governance as enshrined in the Coalition Government’s Common Minimum Program, has not only altered the State’s ground situation materially but has helped create conducive atmosphere for initiation and continuation of the process of reconciliation, both within and outside the State. He said the most remarkable achievement of the PDP after 2002 is its contribution to the task of dignified peace and understanding that has helped in a great measure towards alleviating the sufferings of the people and giving them a sense of security and belonging.
Mr Karra said the PDP would continue its struggle for further improving the ground realities, inspiring people’s confidence in the political processes and institutions to facilitate just and dignified resolution of the problems of the State. “The State’s political turbulence that took a violent shape in early nineties not only jeopardized the peace and security of its citizens but imperiled the sub-continent’s peace as well,” he said and added the PDP’s optimism that Jammu & Kashmir is now headed for political stability and economic prosperity is driven by its vision of a future that holds a promise of peace and prosperity in an environment of friendship and cooperation between India and Pakistan.
Mr Karra said the PDP’s fundamental objective of providing a broad-based political platform to the people of the State to reflect their will and aspirations in free and fearless manner, is at the core of the party’s policies, and its alliance with Congress is solely guided by this very agenda. “Our future political course of action would be primarily guided by this principled agenda,” he said and asserted that for PDP people’s interests and aspirations have been and would be supreme to any other consideration.
Mr Karra said the PDP would go to the polls with a well-defined agenda encompassing the political, economic and social concerns of the State and its people. “Although the PDP has not finalized its candidates for the coming elections, the process would start once the party President returns from the Hajj pilgrimage,” he said and added that the candidates would be selected through extensive consultation, not only within the party but in a true democratic spirit the people of the respective constituencies would be also consulted for the purpose.
The PDP leader announced that a new Women’s Degree College recently approved by the Cabinet for Srinagar would be established in Bemina area to cater to the huge population of Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla and Pulwama districts falling in the catchment area. He also inaugurated a newly upgraded Higher Secondary School at Gund Hassibhat on the occasion.