Srinagar, Mar 07: The Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Thursday expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu & Kashmir, saying he failed to address critical issues such as the restoration of statehood and assembly elections, which are essential for the region’s democratic process.
In a statement, Congress said, “The Prime Minister sidestepped key concerns such as the restoration of democracy, land and job rights, record unemployment, soaring prices, the plight of daily wagers, temporary employees, and various marginalized groups who had hoped for relief during his visit.”
Reacting to the PM’s speech in Srinagar at a rally attended by a good number of government employees, the JKPCC labelled it as a regurgitation of “old rhetoric”, targeting opposition parties with whom the BJP had previously allied.
JKPCC’s Senior Vice President Incharge Media, Ravinder Sharma, questioned why these serious allegations of mismanagement were either ignored or unknown to the Modi-led BJP government when they were in power or shared power.
While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s mentions of certain UPA projects like medical colleges and cancer institutes, Congress said there was a lack of acknowledgement for past developments in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other sectors achieved during previous governments, including some led by or in alliance with the BJP.
Ravinder also said the Jammu & Kashmir’s youth are frustrated due to the Agniveer scheme, which has “dashed their aspirations”.
While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s mention of ongoing development and welfare schemes, Sharma stressed the need for expedited completion of projects inaugurated by him that remain unfinished. “We urge the fulfilment of forgotten promises such as the vital Jammu-Poonch railway project made during the 2013 rally before the announcement of general elections,” he said.
