Jammu, Sept 27: All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Friday urged the people of Jammu & Kashmir to teach the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a lesson for “betraying” their trust. He said the ongoing elections are not merely about electing MLAs or forming a government, but about holding the BJP accountable for its “broken promises” and “anti-people” policies.
“For too long, the BJP has taken our people for granted, making false promises and backstabbing us at every turn,” Mir said during a public meeting in Khour, in support of party candidates Tara Chand from the Chhamb Assembly segment and Ashok Bhagat from Akhnoor.
He criticised the BJP for downgrading the region from a prestigious Dogra state to a Union Territory, stripping away its special status and diminishing the State Subject to a mere domicile certificate.
“We have an opportunity to restore our dignity and honour. These elections are crucial for deciding the future of our people, and we must seize this chance to reclaim our rights and our voice,” he urged.
The Congress leader also highlighted the role of the Supreme Court and the efforts of the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi in facilitating the elections, saying it is crucial to reclaim democratic rights. “Let’s not waste this opportunity. Let’s come together and vote for a government that truly represents our aspirations,” he urged, adding, “The election is a chance to write a new chapter in Jammu & Kashmir’s history—one of hope, dignity, and self-determination.”
Former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in his address said, “The BJP has suffocated the people of Jammu & Kashmir by taking away their statehood. This is a blatant attack on our democratic rights, and we will not tolerate it.”
He asserted that the INDIA alliance, which includes Congress and other opposition parties, is committed to restoring democracy in the region and empowering the people to choose their representatives.
“The people of Jammu & Kashmir are eager for change,” Chand said. He expressed the collective desire to “end the hardships” brought by BJP rule.
Congress leader Pragat Singh and other party members also addressed the gathering and reiterated their commitment to restoring the dignity and rights of the people.
