"NC nurtured terrorism and 'jihad', Congress' intentions now clear": Uttarakhand CM on opposition's pre-poll alliance in J-K

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 24 : Targeting the pre-poll alliance between the National Conference (NC) and Congress for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K), Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Saturday that the NC has fostered terrorism and 'jihad,' and that the Congress's intentions have now become clear to the public.
CM Dhami criticized the Congress for forming an alliance with the NC, accusing the party of repeatedly compromising the security, unity, and integrity of the country in its pursuit of power.
"The National Conference has continuously pushed Kashmir backwards for three decades. This party promoted separatism and divisive forces in Kashmir. National Conference has nurtured terrorism and jihad; the intentions of Congress have become clear to the public that it wants to throw Kashmir into the fire of violence by allying with them," he said.
"Does Congress support promoting separatism again by talking to Pakistan in exchange for the youth of Kashmir?" he asked.
The Uttarakhand CM, further asked the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, whether his party supports the promise of a 'separate flag' with the National Conference.
"Do they want to push Kashmir back into the era of terrorism-separatism? Does the Congress Party agree with the National Conference's decision to resume trade with Pakistan? Does the Congress support the National Conference's decision to resume 'LoC Trade' which will give a boost to cross-border terrorism and its machinery?" he said.
He also asked the Congress about their stand on the National Conference's agenda of reintroducing Article 370, promoting separatism and depriving Dalits, Gujjars and Pahari communities of reservation.
"Does the Congress support the promise made by the National Conference to rename prominent places in Jammu and Kashmir like Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Hill with names having Islamic meaning?" he said.
The National Conference in its manifesto has, among other things, pitched for a dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1. The results will be announced on October 4.
The Congress and the NC had fought the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with each other. The National Conference won two seats - Anantnag and Srinagar. The Congress could not win any seat.
A total of 90 assembly constituencies will go to the polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The last assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir was held in 2014.