Kathua, Dec 27: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of JKNC, Jammu on Wednesday said that only the National Conference has the strength to pose a formidable challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a public meeting in the village of Buthi in the Jasrota Assembly Constituency, Gupta said the NC has a deep-rooted presence and grassroots strength across J&K.
“National Conference is fundamentally cadre-based, with a strong foothold at the grassroots level across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by hundreds of party cadres for the welfare of the people, citing the significant historical contributions of the party’s founder, Sheikh Abdullah, who endured several years of imprisonment for his beliefs and actions.
Sham Narayan Mehta, District President of Kathua Rural, who organized the meeting, briefed senior party functionaries about the acute hardships faced by residents, especially regarding the lack of basic amenities in the Kandi belt. During the meeting, Sardar Randhir Singh Naib Sarpanch Lachipora joined the National Conference.
Expressing serious concerns over the challenges faced by people in the Kandi belt of Kathua district, Rattan Lal Gupta pointed out the stark lack of development in the area. He said there is the poor condition of electricity, an acute shortage of drinking water, inadequate healthcare facilities, and the lack of doctors in health centres. Gupta raised the burning issues of the common masses, highlighting problems such as unemployment and criticized the BJP government for its failure to address the needs of the people.
The provincial president urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to support the National Conference leadership in the upcoming polls, stating that it is time to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah to form a government that is people-centric and considerate towards the problems of the common man.
Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Provincial Secretary of JKNC, Jammu, stressed the urgent need to fortify the party in light of the current political landscape and consolidate efforts to strengthen the party’s base for the forthcoming electoral battles. Vijay Lochan, Chairman SC Cell, and Pardeep Bali, Provincial Secretary Jammu, also called on the people to support the National Conference leadership in the upcoming elections.
