Srinagar, July 28: Reiterating his party's demand for imposition of Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of assembly elections, Pradesh Congress chief Ghulam Nabi Azad has sought people's cooperation to overthrow "autocratic rule" in the state. "People of Jammu and Kashmir are in the grip of autocratic rule which they want to get rid of but this is possible only when they are provided an opportunity to exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner," Azad said at a public meeting at Kakapora in Pulwama district yesterday.

Referring to Omar Abdullah taking over as National Conference president, Azad said "the spade work for transfer of power from father (Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah) to son, a worst example of dynastic rule, had been completed but the plan failed to materialise because we jumped into the field."

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He said holding of free and fair elections in the state was the only way to solve the Kashmir problem and alleged that this was not possible under NC. "Peace will never return to Jammu and Kashmir unless wishes and sentiments of the people are respected and the assembly poll is a golden opportunity to accomplish this task," he said.

Azad said his party was not the only one demanding governor's rule.

On the chief minister's claim that NC enjoys support of the masses, Azad said "a person or a party which enjoys support of the people should not oppose the demand for imposition of governor's rule in the state."
Bureau Report