The Diplomat Desk
Rajouri, (TDD) : As a serious development in the run-up to the Assembly constituency elections for Rajouri, independent candidate and former president of the Municipal Council, Advocate Mohd Arif, announced withdrawal from the contest in support of BJP candidate Vibod Gupta. Elections to the constituency are scheduled for September 25. Addressing the media-persons, Arif said that he had decided to contest on his own, but he heeded the sentiments of his supporters and workers as well, who told him to join the BJP since they were voting for one secular party.
He said that the agenda of the INDI (A) Alliance was disturbing him, because if their policies come into force, all the benefits reaped by Pahari and other social groups owing to the central policies in Jammu and Kashmir will be lost. Arif praised initiatives led by Narendra Modi’s government saying: “The present Modi government has shown emphasis on peace and development, and some are giving it a communal look on the election’s basis.” Former Rajouri council president said he was committed to the good cause of betterment for Rajouri and would not indulge in anything that would hamper it.
He said, “How can this be a conspiracy when I served for my people during my tenure as president of Municipal Council?” He even underlined the fact that the people of Rajouri and Poonch have been suffering due to terrorism for long and are committed to guarding their region, standing ready to support the Army and Border Security Force. Arif appealed to his workers to work hard in the last days of the elections to make sure the BJP emerged victorious, saying if the INDI (A) Alliance succeeded, it would reverse the gains earned in Jammu and Kashmir. Personalities like Abdul Qayoom Mir, Dr. Garu Sanehi and Zia Ul Haq were present in the press conference whereas supporters from all Panchayats across Rajouri constituency attended the meet. This can be the reason behind the apparent level of hurry in the campaign by the BJP as the election race is heating up in Rajouri with Arif’s support.(TDD)
