BJP delaying relief to flood-hit Kashmir for electoral gain: Hurriyat chief

Srinagar: Hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani today accused BJP of using the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as a delaying tactic for providing relief to the flood-affected state for electoral gains. “Instead of addressing the problems of the people, the ruling party in Delhi (BJP) is more concerned for its interests and they are using the election drama as delaying tactic for distributing relief,” a Hurriyat spokesman said. [caption id=“attachment_1234443” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Syed Ali Shah Geelani. AFP[/caption] “They want that if any so-called relief is given to people, it should be credited to BJP only. It is very disgusting policy and Modi government is doing politics over the dead bodies and the devastated regions,” he said. The spokesman alleged discrimination by the Centre, saying relief was announced for ‘Hudhud’ cyclone victims within 24 hours while no such measures were announced for the flood-hit people of Kashmir. “The rulers of India have nothing to do with the miseries and suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They only want land of Kashmir and they can go to any extent,” he said. The spokesman said floods in Kashmir have completed a month-and-a-half now but the affected people are still waiting for the adequate relief and aid. “The winter season has set in Kashmir and the homeless are finding it very tough to face the harsh winter. If the aid and help provided to the people of Kashmir would have been on time like … The aid provided to people immediately after Hudhud storm, the homeless people of Kashmir would have constructed their homes in time,” he said. PTI