Srinagar, Feb 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Vikar Rasool Wani on Thursday said the seat-sharing process between the regional parties of J&K would be completed in the coming days and they would jointly contest this election to secure a “clean sweep”.
Addressing a press conference here, the JKPCC Chief said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been awaiting elections for the past seven years while the Bharatiya Janata Party was citing security reasons for delaying the election. He questioned why there were no security concerns during Parliamentary elections, raising doubts about the BJP’s motives.
“We want the assembly elections to coincide with parliamentary elections as there is a need for a public government. The authorities must consider avoiding double expenditure for elections to save money and the precious time of the people,” Rasool demanded.
He said the national alliance found “success” in major states including UP, Bihar, Delhi, J&K, and other states, stressing that if any party in the country could replace the BJP, it would be the Indian National Congress.
Rasool said the seat-sharing process in Jammu and Kashmir between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC) and Congress would take its final shape in the coming days. We have done seat-sharing and we will fight the election jointly, he said while expressing confidence that the alliance would sweep the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The JK Congress President criticised the BJP for using “heavy-handed tactics” against protesting farmers demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP). He condemned the use of drones against farmers, saying, “Those who feed the country are facing injustice.”
Wani said the Congress guarantees all the rights of the farmers of the country. “Once in power, our priority would be MSP for farmers, allowing them the liberty to sell their crops according to their will.”
He accused the BJP of using muscle power against those opposing the saffron party, citing instances such as installing smart meters, cutting rations, and imposing high prices on essential commodities.
Vikar expressed hope that the people would demonstrate their power to the BJP in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, according to a JKPCC statement issued here, Vikar Rasool Wani urged the Central government to hold parliamentary and assembly elections together in the region to “avoid double expenses” and “save public exchequer”.
“Conducting parliamentary and assembly elections simultaneously in Jammu & Kashmir would prevent unnecessary financial burdens,” he said.
Highlighting the prolonged absence of State Legislative Assembly elections in J&K, Wani said the citizens have right to elect their representatives. “For nearly seven years, the people of Jammu & Kashmir have been deprived of their democratic privilege to choose representatives who can advocate for their concerns,” he lamented.
Questioning the government’s rationale behind deferring assembly elections, the JK Congress Chief pointed out the inconsistency in security assessments. “If security conditions permit parliamentary polls in Jammu & Kashmir today, why are they considered inadequate for assembly elections?” he questioned.
