BANIHAL: In a significant political development, scores of workers and activists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) at a joining programme held in Banihal on Saturday, further strengthening the party’s organisational presence across the Banihal-Gool constituency.
Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, NC leader and MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen said the growing support for the National Conference reflected increasing public faith in the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the party’s agenda of development, dignity and inclusive governance.
Shaheen said Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing a renewed focus on development, public infrastructure, essential services and equitable growth under Omar Abdullah’s leadership.
He said people were increasingly looking towards a political platform that, according to him, could deliver tangible results on the ground rather than rely on promises and opportunism.
Referring to the Banihal-Gool constituency, Shaheen said several long-pending developmental issues were being addressed with renewed focus, particularly in remote and hilly areas.
He said the Gool-Sangaldan belt was receiving attention in sectors including roads, electricity, healthcare, education, drinking water and other basic infrastructure.
Highlighting augmentation of power infrastructure, Shaheen said the Sangaldan Receiving Station had been upgraded from 3.15 MVA to 6.3 MVA, while work on augmenting the Khari Receiving Station from 3.15 MVA to 6.3 MVA was in progress.
He said the measures were expected to strengthen electricity supply and improve reliability in Gool-Sangaldan and adjoining areas.
Shaheen further said efforts were underway to improve road connectivity in remote and difficult terrain, besides strengthening healthcare and educational facilities.
He maintained that the government was committed to bridging developmental gaps in areas which, according to him, had remained neglected for decades.
The MLA said initiatives aimed at tapping the tourism potential of the Banihal-Gool constituency, improving public amenities and creating livelihood opportunities were also being pursued, with particular focus on remote and economically disadvantaged areas.
“The people are looking for development, stability and dignity. They have seen the politics of promises and opportunism. Today, they are increasingly choosing the National Conference because they see a leadership and a government focused on development and delivery on the ground,” Shaheen said.
Taking a dig at the PDP, Shaheen alleged that the party had lost public credibility because of its past political decisions and failure to safeguard the interests, aspirations and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the continued movement of workers towards the National Conference reflected what he described as a changing political landscape in the Banihal-Gool constituency.
Shaheen said the growing strength of the NC was not merely an organisational development but also an indication of increasing public confidence in the party’s leadership, policies and grassroots approach.
Welcoming the new entrants, he assured them that their joining would further strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots and help advance the National Conference’s agenda of development, public service and inclusive politics across the constituency.
Former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan, Block Presidents Jan Mohammad Chandail, Mohd Saultan Mughal, Mohd Afzal Giri, Mukhtiar Ahmed Bhat and Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh, besides other senior party functionaries and workers, were present on the occasion.
