Jammu, July 31: Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla on Wednesday said the party will always stand for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said development, dignity and peace in J&K are the top priorities of Congress.
The former minister, according to a statement, said this after several public interactions in the RS Pura Jammu Souty Assembly constituency.
On the occasion, Bhalla said, “Both Jammu & Kashmir are equal in every respect and Congress will also fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and for the restoration of statehood to J&K.”
Expressing disappointment over the statehood issue, he stressed the need for restoring a popular government in J&K as soon as possible.
Raman said Congress is always for the welfare of the people of J&K and thus will always be committed to the goal of serving the people. “Any laws which do not safeguard the interests and rights of people of J&K would be unacceptable to Congress. Better would have been such laws of urgent nature should have been left to or dealt with in consultation with the duly elected government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.
Urging people to vote for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections, Bhalla said, “You have witnessed how BJP and their leaders have deceived you with false promises and empty slogans over the last ten years. Give us a fair chance to serve you. I, again promise that Congress will not let you down.”
He vowed that if Congress receives the public mandate through the democratic process, it will ensure the social, political, and economic empowerment of the J&K people and protect their constitutional rights. “We have to change the scenario for the better, as the future of our youth is at stake. Congress is exceptional in having both the potential and the will to ensure a shining future for Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.
The JKPCC leader urged people to value their votes and “not misuse them by falling into the trap of emotional sloganeering and fake promises made by political parties”. You must use your vote wisely and not allow these parties to allure you with fake promises anymore. I appeal to you to give us a chance to realise this dream,” he said.
Bhalla said that J&K needs an elected government to address grave issues such as rising unemployment and infrastructural deficits. “I see a wave of change in J&K. People want to give a chance to the Congress Party because they feel misled by the BJP in Jammu & Kashmir.
Expressing surprise over the unruly delay in holding elections in J&K, the Congress leader said that the BJP might be worried about anguish against them among the masses because they have failed completely.