Jammu, Sept 30: Rattan Lal Gupta, National Conference (NC) provincial president, on Monday said the party, under the “visionary” leadership of Omar Abdullah, is prepared to form the next government in alliance with Congress following the upcoming assembly elections.
Speaking at a joining function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, organised by Jitender Singh Lucky, former vice chairman of the Cantonment Board, Gupta criticised the “hollow and anti-people policies” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“The people of Jammu & Kashmir are weary of the false promises and ineffective governance they have experienced over the past decade. The BJP has subjected the people of J&K to 10 years of darkness,” he said in a statement issued here, adding that a new era is on the horizon with the National Conference ready to bring true peace and prosperity through its “revolutionary” and “progressive” manifesto.
Rattan Lal said the National Conference’s manifesto, shaped under the party vice president Omar Abdullah’s leadership, aims to usher in “Acche Din” (Good Days) and transform the socio-economic landscape of Jammu & Kashmir. The public is eager for change, and the party is committed to fulfilling their aspirations through policies focused on development, peace and prosperity, he said.
“The dark clouds of BJP’s rule are dissipating,” he said, adding that the National Conference’s victory is a hope for a brighter future for Jammu & Kashmir.
Gupta outlined key commitments from the party’s manifesto, including the creation of 100,000 jobs for youth in J&K, implementation of the J&K Youth Employment Generation Act within three months, provision of 12 free LPG cylinders to economically weaker sections, free travel for women on public transport, and an increase in marriage assistance from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.
He also announced plans to raise the medical allowance for pensioners from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000, establish a Minority Commission, strengthen the Public Distribution System, provide 10 kg of free rations per month to each Below Poverty Line family, offer Rs 5,000 per month to each economically weaker section household, and supply free electricity up to 200 units and free drinking water.
He appealed to the people of the Jammu region to support the NC candidates to “restore” peace, development and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir under Omar Abdullah’s leadership.
The party said that many individuals joined the National Conference on the occasion. “This reinforces the party’s growing strength and widespread support as the elections approach,” it said, adding that the new members included Ashwani Kumar, Rajinder Singh, Harminder Singh, Madan Lal, Surinder Kumar, Shammi Mehra, Tarsem Pal Bali, Sanjeev Kumar and others.
