Jammu, Sept 19: Former chief minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament (MP) Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday promised to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir if his party comes to power.
“If the Congress-led alliance is voted to power, it will prioritise addressing the genuine concerns of the people and bringing about economic and social reforms,” he said while addressing a public gathering here.
Channi urged the people of J&K to vote for the alliance in the elections, assuring them that it has the vision and resolve to restore peace and prosperity in the region.
The Congress leader criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto for Jammu & Kashmir. “It is a bundle of lies designed to mislead and deceive the people. The BJP failed to address critical issues during its decade-long governance, leaving the people to suffer. Despite being in power, the party has failed to meet the basic needs of the people, including providing pensions to senior citizens and addressing unemployment,” he said.
Channi also criticised the BJP’s handling of employment in J&K, saying that despite numerous vacant posts, no efforts were made to fill them. He ridiculed the promise of free LPG cylinders, noting that thousands of families still struggle to afford even one due to rising prices.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla in his address urged the people to reject the BJP’s “election tactics” and “false promises”. He said that Congress is committed to “real” development, peace and the well-being of the region’s people.
He criticised the BJP government for its “abysmal handling” of the economy, alleging that J&K’s economic health has deteriorated under its rule. “The government’s grand announcements regarding marginalised sections are unfounded and they are worst sufferers of directionless policies,” he said.
“The BJP government failed to provide basic amenities to the people, including power supply, potable water, and healthcare facilities. Outsiders are being allocated land, resources and jobs while locals face rising prices, high taxes, water shortages and poverty,” the JKPCC leader said, adding, “Only Congress can bail out people from their current plight as it knows their basic issues and problems.”
“The Congress-NC alliance is determined to address critical issues plaguing Jammu & Kashmir under BJP rule, including smart meters, statehood, unemployment, safeguarding state laws, fighting corruption and tackling the drug mafia,” Bhalla said.
