SRINAGAR: National Conference president and member of parliament Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the Karnataka election results signify the victory of religious harmony and love.

"Elections are the root and foundation of democracy", Farooq told mediapersons on the sidelines of an event in Pinglish in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district today. He said that the victory of Congress in Karnataka is actually a victory of the principles of love and religious harmony and this election has proved that the people have rejected the politics of division, bullying and communalism.

“Through elections a clean and transparent government is established and people choose their real representatives”, Farooq said.

He said that the survival of India's freedom and democracy lies in the equal treatment of the people of all sections of the country and ensuring the religious freedom of the people belonging to any religion under the Constitution of India.

In response to the question asked about the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting which is going to be held here, Farooq said that it is a matter of happiness that the G20 meeting is being held here and its main purpose is to promote tourism.

Asked about the high air travel fares Farooq expressed his anger over the sky-high air fares and said that due to the exorbitant air fares, the local people are facing great hardships and there is a hindrance in the arrival of tourists in Kashmir.

He said that the air ticket, which should cost 4 thousand rupees, is being sold for 24 thousand today.

He said “we have repeatedly raised the issue with the central government but unfortunately they only give us assurances but practically nothing is being done”.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that “I once again appeal to the central government to take concrete and effective measures to moderate the air fares for the valley”. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Describing the routing of the BJP in Karnataka Assembly election as the "beginning of the end" of the saffron brigade before the 2024 Lok Sabha poll, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said when people want plurality and democratic forces to win, no "central design to dominate can repress" their spontaneity.

Talking to newsmen, who gathered in front of her residence at Kalighat here, Banerjee said, " It's a No Vote To BJP for its arrogance, intolerable behaviour and agency politics. "

"I salute the people of Karnataka, all the voters. I also salute the winners for their victory. Even Kumaraswamy did well. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh elections are coming, and I think BJP will lose both elections," commented the Chief Minister. "Starting from South India to North India, the BJP is nowhere barring a few," she mentioned.

Banerjee also said she will support SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh to help fight the BJP. Saluting the people of Karnataka for their decisive mandate in favour of change, Banerjee iterated that "brute authoritarian and majoritarian politics is vanquished".

"When people want plurality and democratic forces to win, no central design to dominate can repress their spontaneity, Banerjee said adding, " That is the moral of the story, lesson for tomorrow. "

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday said the people of Karnataka have spoken just as the people of Bengal did in 2021 and the people of India will in 2024.

Stating that the "politics of hate" will be rejected every time, Banerjee said, " Prioritising development is an alien idea for @BJP4India, all they have to offer is communal propaganda. "

"The people of Karnataka have spoken, just as the people of Bengal did in 2021 and the people of India will in 2024!, " he said adding, " No Vote To BJP, which was raised in West Bengal in 2021 Assembly election, was echoed in Karnataka too. "

Harping on opposition UNITY against DIVISIVE tactics, Banerjee said, " The anti-BJP votes must not be split between the opposition parties. They must fend off the BJP in their respective turfs. "

"Political differences aside, defeating @BJP4India must be the priority, " quipped Banerjee.

The Congress juggernaut literally mowed down the saffron brigade in Karnataka, wresting power from the BJP to be in the saddle. (UNI)