Jammu, July 08: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla on Monday said the recent parliamentary elections have sent out a strong message to the nation that the party’s premier role in any political setup cannot be wished away.
Addressing a gathering of “aggrieved” people at Gorakh Nagar Bahu Fort, Bhalla said, “The striking rate in Jammu division has clearly indicated that the people’s choice is for the Congress.”
He hailed people for lending their “wholehearted support” to the Congress in the recently concluded elections, which he said has unnerved all those who had written off the party. “A clear message has gone out that the next government in Jammu and Kashmir will be formed by the Congress,” he claimed.
“The recent vote to Congress is a reflection of its politics of inclusiveness. The people have rejected the politics of divide and are looking for a party that can connect with all regions and religions across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Congress leader criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party’s performance in the region, saying that its leaders had sought votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but failed to deliver on their promises. “The BJP government had left daily-rated workers in the lurch and had failed to provide employment and development,” he said.
He also launched a scathing attack on the BJP dispensation for “pushing Jammu & Kashmir to a state of chaos by creating a situation of drift and showing insensitivity towards people’s aspirations”. “The government shows intolerance to dissent and aversion to peaceful protests. It amounts to gagging democratic voice in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
The JKPCC described the present government as “anti-employees”, saying they have failed to meet their aspirations and restore normalcy in the region. “The people must maintain vigil against frustrated political outfits that may try to create a wedge between different segments of society and foil their attempts collectively by ensuring amity and tranquillity,” he said.
Bhalla claimed that polarisation was created in the recently concluded elections, but his party outplayed divisive politics with the support of the general public. “It is only Congress that can connect all regions and religions across Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
