BJP downgraded J&K’s status, snatched people’s rights: Bhalla

Jammu, Sept 29: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla on Sunday reiterated that restoring full statehood to J&K would be a top priority for the Congress if elected.
“Never before in our nation’s history has a state been downgraded to a union territory. Restoring statehood is essential for the self-respect and dignity of the people of J&K,” he said while addressing people on the last day of campaigning for the third phase of the J&K Assembly elections.
According to a statement issued here, Bhalla led a massive rally through various areas of the RS Pura Jammu South constituency, supported by thousands of enthusiastic followers.
Addressing the crowd, he criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its “wrong policies”, claiming that the people of Jammu & Kashmir are suffering due to rising inflation and unemployment. He accused the BJP of “snatching” rights over land and jobs while downgrading J&K from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory.
Bhalla called on party workers to unite against the “anti-people” regime and urged voters to support Congress candidates on October 01.
He said the policies such as property tax and toll plazas have added to the suffering of the people of J&K. He discussed pressing issues like inflation, women’s safety, and the government’s handling of relationships with neighboring countries. “The central government has neglected critical matters,” he said.
The JKPCC leader also expressed concern for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying that their long-standing issues have not been adequately addressed. “The present government is not serious about resolving these problems,” he said.
Bhalla said the Congress Party, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is committed to uniting the country through initiatives like the Bharat Jodo Yatra. “The BJP failed to create employment opportunities. Every family has been pushed into the fire of inflation,” he said.
“Since 2014, the BJP-led government has continuously let down the people,” he said. “Instead of addressing genuine demands, it has adopted a callous approach.”
The Congress is committed to truth and its determination to expose the BJP’s shortcomings, he said.
Responding to recent BJP claims regarding PoK, the Congress leader called their rhetoric “election bluster”. “Why no concrete steps had been taken during their ten years in power,” he asked. He expressed confidence in the Congress-National Conference alliance, saying that they would secure a comfortable majority in the elections despite challenges.