Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spend Diwali in Srinagar, interacting with flood-affected people, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to make an impact in the forthcoming State Assembly election.
The Diwali day function of the Prime Minister is being organised by J&K Governor N.N. Vohra.
“Will be in Srinagar on Diwali, 23rd October & will spend the day with our sisters & brothers affected by the unfortunate floods,” the PM tweeted. “Modiji is expected to announce a relief package for the flood victims,” Altaf Thakur, a spokesperson of the State BJP, told
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The PM’s Diwali trip set off a political battle in the State. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the BJP appreciated the move, separatist groups rejected the gesture saying it lacked substance and the People’s Democratic Party was sceptical.
“It is a good gesture that the Prime Minister is showing signs of empathy but it would have been much better if he had come on Eid, which is celebrated by most people here,” PDP spokesperson Nayeem Akhter said.
A BJP State unit leader said the flood-victims wanted direct intervention of the Central government in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes. “They no more have any faith in the State government and want the Centre to take over the relief and rehabilitation work.”
ADVERTISEMENT
But the separatists are not convinced. “This is just a show and this gesture lacks any real substance. New Delhi has not released funds to the flood affected victims of Kashmir and at the same time has stopped all international aid,” senior moderate Hurriyat leader, Mirwaiz Umar, told The Hindu .
Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a complete shutdown on the day of Mr. Modi’s visit and has asked people to hold a protest against the visit.
“The Indian government has stopped all international funding and aid and want to see Kashmiri Muslims die. At the same time to come here on a Festival of Lights which we don’t have much to do with, it is nothing but aggression,” Syed Ali Shah Geelani said.
People’s Democratic Party spokesperson Nayeem Akhter lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Diwali trip to Srinagar but said he should have come on Eid.
“It is good that the Prime Minister is showing signs of empathy but it would have been much better if he had come on Eid which is celebrated by most people here,” Mr. Akhter said.
A BJP State unit leader said the flood victims wanted direct intervention of the Central government in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes.
“They do not have any more faith in the State government and want the Centre to take over the relief and rehabilitation work.”
But the separatists are not convinced. “This is just a show and this gesture lacks any real substance. New Delhi has not released funds to the flood-affected victims of Kashmir and at the same time has stopped all international aid,” senior moderate Hurriyat leader, Mirwaiz Umar, told The Hindu .
Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a complete shutdown on the day of Mr. Modi’s visit and has asked people to hold a protest against the visit.
“By stopping international aid that should have reached us, the Centre wants to see Kashmiri Muslims die. At the same time for the Prime Minister to come here during the Festival of Lights, which we don’t have much to do with, is nothing but aggression,” he said.