By Shazia Shah | Kashmir Pen
Srinagar, July 8: Former Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC), Baramulla, Safina Baig on Wednesday defended her decision to join the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), saying the party remains the strongest political platform to represent the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing her first press briefing after joining the National Conference, Safina Baig said her decision was the outcome of careful reflection and was guided by the prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have reached the conclusion that if one genuinely wants to represent the people of Kashmir, the National Conference is the best platform,” she told reporters.
Rejecting suggestions that the party had lost its organisational strength in Baramulla, she said the National Conference has a strong cadre and several senior leaders in the district who have worked tirelessly for the party for over three decades.
Referring to the previous Assembly elections, she said the National Conference’s support to another candidate in Baramulla was part of the INDIA alliance arrangement and should not be misconstrued as a sign of political weakness.
Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Safina Baig said she was optimistic that the National Conference would emerge even stronger in Baramulla in the coming years.
She also lauded the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying he has handled the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir during a difficult phase with maturity, balance and political restraint. She added that the National Conference’s vision and manifesto resonate with the aspirations of the people and provide a roadmap for peace, democratic empowerment and development.
On being asked about her future political role, Safina Baig declined to speculate, saying such decisions rest with the party leadership. She, however, affirmed her commitment to strengthening the National Conference at the grassroots level and working for the welfare of the people.
Earlier in the day, Safina Baig, wife of PDP co-founder and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, formally joined the National Conference at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subha, Srinagar, in the presence of party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar, General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, senior leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and other prominent party functionaries.
Her joining is being viewed as a significant political development in north Kashmir, particularly in Baramulla district, where she enjoys considerable public support and has remained active in grassroots politics for several years | Kashmir Pen
