Shiv Sena (UBT) announces support for Congress in J&K

Jammu, Apr 03: The Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu-Kashmir unit has announced its support for Congress candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing a commitment from the Congress candidates to address key public concerns. State chief Manish Sahni made this announcement during a press conference held today at the party’s state central office.
Sahni said that in accordance with the directives from the party high command and in adherence to coalition principles, the Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu-Kashmir unit will actively work towards ensuring the victory of Congress candidates Raman Bhalla and Chaudhary Lal Singh in both Lok Sabha seats of the Jammu division. He revealed that in exchange for their support, the Congress candidates have pledged to address several resolutions aligned with public aspirations.
Key demands presented to the Congress candidates include advocating for full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, enhancing and restoring pensions for senior citizens, widows, and the disabled, establishing of a 24×7 Jammu DD channel to preserve regional language, culture, art, and heritage, upgrading healthcare facilities with trauma centres at the district level, reinstating concessions for elderly and female railway passengers, initiating metro projects, providing unemployment allowances for educated youth, regularizing daily wage workers, and facilitating the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Sahni criticised the BJP for allegedly neglecting the interests of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the party of dividing the region and undermining its cultural identity. He lamented the failure of BJP’s promises regarding the return of Kashmiri Pandits, development, employment, and peace restoration, branding them as empty rhetoric.
Calling upon the electorate to hold accountable those who have “cheated and betrayed”, he urged voters to support the Congress candidates.