ON April 15, the CPI(M) state committee of the Jammu and Kashmir, after its meeting, urged the people to defeat communal and authoritarian Modi government. Urging the people of the state to vote overwhelmingly, as it is important to vote, to defend the identity and special status of people of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of preserving Article 370 and Article 35 A of the constitution, CPI(M) state committee asked the voters to contribute in the process of evicting disastrous, authoritarian and communal government led by Narendra Modi.

It is the foremost duty of all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to vote to defeat the mischief-monger BJP in the ensuing elections. For that the people should come out and vote in favour of those who are trusted friends and capable of defending the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing Lok Sabha election is very important in the prevailing situation. In today’s circumstances, the CPI(M) has decided that National Conference candidates from Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha constituencies will be supported.

Jammu and Kashmir is under huge crisis, as, except death and destruction nothing has happened in the state in the last five years. Like rest of the country, the BJP polarised J&K, for its petty electoral gains. Violence has increased manifold, while social fabric of the state is in tatters. 

The prevailing unprecedented crisis is the result of erroneous and faulty policies of Modi government and unprincipled alliance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the BJP in 2015 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the use of all measures of force, the alienation of the people has only increased on the ground. In 2014, massive voter participation was witnessed in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The real issue is that, on the political and governance fronts, the PDP-BJP alliance failed to deliver on its promises, and the much-hyped “agenda of alliance”, proved to be a mere hoax.

The anger and alienation amongst Kashmiri people has got exacerbated, the security situation has deteriorated, and a stark communal polarisation has been created, not only between the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, but also between the two large communities in the state.

The economy is in shambles, as the prices of essential commodities and fuel has increased manifold. Corruption is at its peak, jobs are harder to get and criticism of the PM on these issues on social media is enough to land one in jail. The BJP has been exposed and unmasked.

Demonetisation and implementation of GST resulted in devastating the livelihood of millions of people across the country. Implementation of GST in J&K virtually eroded the fiscal flexibility of the state. It was a big blow to whatever little autonomy was left for the state.

The CPI(M) in J&K stands for a political solution to Kashmir problem based on maximum autonomy for the state, based on the full scope of Article 370 of the constitution; It stands for an autonomous set-up to be created in the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh ; The CPI(M) opposes all the attempts to remove or review Article 35 (A) of the constitution.

The Party demands that urgently a political process should be initiated through dialogue/talks with all concerned parties. There should be a complete withdrawal of AFSPA. Strong steps to be taken to prevent excesses by security forces against innocent people. There should be a ban on use of pellet guns and other lethal weapons on protesters.

The CPI(M) has asked the government to initiate confidence building measures in Kashmir, by talking to all sections of the society and acting upon their genuine grievances. The Party has demanded that the economic development of the state must be ensured, focusing particularly on generating employment for the youth and reconstructing the damaged infrastructure.