Jammu: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary on Saturday reiterated that the National Conference will never ally with the BJP even if it has to leave the government.
He was in Jammu to launch a campaign for party candidate Shamim Begum from Nagrota assembly constituency and said fielding a candidate in Nagrota was a sign that the National Conference would not ally with the BJP.
Speaking to reporters, he said the NC was sticking to its principles and did not bargain for votes during the Rajya Sabha elections. “””We had won three seats and were in a good position for the fourth seat, but some MLAs cheated us and voted in favour of the BJP,”” Chaudhary said.” “The BJP has always been known for “”vote theft”” and this was also reflected in the Rajya Sabha elections.”
“””This time it has been proved that the BJP is a vote thief.” They broke the votes, if they had 28 votes, where did the rest come from? This question is still unanswered.
He further said that despite political pressures, the NC stands at its moral height. “They said, “”We neither gave money nor lured.” “””We fought for the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” The three seats we have won belong to the people and our representatives will reach their voices to Delhi.
Chaudhary also appreciated the contribution and representation of the Sikh community and said the National Conference has always given them a proper place in leadership roles. “””The Sikh community has always been part of our leadership and institutions.” We have given representation to leaders like Sardar Harbhan Singh, Talwinder Singh Wazir and now Shami Oberoi.
Clarifying speculations about the NC’s political alliances, Chaudhary said, “If there was an alliance, we would not have fielded our candidate in Nagrota.” We had supported the Congress, but when they did not contest, we had to field our candidate at the last minute. “Yet, our fight continues.
He asserted that the party will fight the upcoming Nagrota elections with all its might. “””We will fight with all our might,”” he said.” We can leave the government, but not our principles. We will never join hands with the BJP.
