J&K: Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference Pulls Out of Gupkar Alliance

“We fought against each other in Kashmir province not against the perpetrators of 5 August,” Sajad Lone said.

The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) on Tuesday, 19 January, pulled out of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

JKPC chairperson Sajad Lone wrote to PAGD President and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, saying, "The majority view in our party is we should pull out of the alliance in an amicable manner rather than waiting for things to get messier. And I am confirming that we will no longer be part of the PAGD alliance."

In the letter, a copy of which has also been shared by ANI, Lone stated that they are divorcing from the alliance and not its objectives.

“DDC elections per se may not matter institutionally. But these elections were distinctive by virtue of its timing.”

Sajid Lone

Citing the cracks that emerged during the District Development Council (DDC) elections, Lone said in his letter, "We fought against each other in Kashmir province, not against the perpetrators of 5 August. And those who perpetrated 5 August and their minions are vocally gleeful."

Background

Of the 280 seats in J&K, Dr Farooq-led Gupkar Alliance won over 110 seats, followed by the BJP with 75 seats, including its maiden wins in Kashmir Valley.

Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party in the J&K District Development Council (DDC) election results and called it a “resounding slap on the face of terrorists,” the Gupkar group, which registered a massive win, said that the people had shown the BJP the power of democracy.