Jammu, Jan 24: All India Congress Committee (AICC) Coordinator for Udhampur and Senior Vice President & Chief Spokesperson of JKPCC, Ravinder Sharma on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi is a “crusader against injustice” and asserted that only the Congress party can effectively combat what he described as the dictatorship of the BJP.
Speaking at a meeting of senior Congress leaders in District Kathua, including PCC functionaries, District President Pankaj Dogra, Block Presidents, and representatives from six assembly segments, Sharma criticized the BJP for “exploiting religious sentiments” during elections while allegedly neglecting critical issues faced by the common people, particularly the youth, farmers, and the economically disadvantaged.
He urged party workers to bring the BJP to the discussion table on real issues such as unemployment, rising prices, heavy taxation, and concerns of farmers and the working class. The Congress Party should address these issues and challenge the BJP’s policies that, according to him, are detrimental to democracy.
The meeting, presided over by District President Pankaj Dogra, saw the attendance of several prominent Congress leaders, including PCC General Secretaries Shashi Sharma (Incharge Kathua), Naresh Sharma (Ex-MC Chairman), Kulbhushan Kumar (Ex-Chairman Nagri), and Akash Bharat (President JK Youth Congress), among others.
Ravinder advised senior leaders and workers to actively engage at the grassroots level, volunteering for booth-level duties to strengthen the party’s message. He said elections are fought collectively by the party and its workers, not solely by candidates.
The Congress leader called on the BJP to clarify its stance on issues such as the restoration of statehood, and protection of land, jobs, and natural resources in J&K. He also questioned the delay in holding assembly elections, alleging a neglect of panchayat and local body elections. Sharma highlighted concerns of various groups, including the elderly, physically handicapped, widows, and employees seeking changes in pension schemes.
During the meeting, senior leaders, block Presidents, and frontal heads shared their thoughts on party strategy, public issues, and potential candidates, contributing to a comprehensive discussion.
