Kharge vows to fight for J&K’s statehood

Jammu, Sep 29: All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday vowed to fight for the restoration of statehood to J&K.

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “exploiting J&K people with its fake promises”, he stated that Congress would ensure protection of their (people’s) rights and dignity.

He was addressing an election rally at Jasrota in Kathua district in support of party candidate Thakur Balbir Singh. AICC In-charge J&K Bharatsinh Solanki, AICC General Secretary G A Mir, AICC Co-incharge Manoj Yadav besides other senior leaders accompanied Kharge.

“As the President of the Congress party, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. For too long, the BJP has exploited and deceived the people of Jammu and Kashmir with false promises. They have reneged on their commitments, leaving the people feeling betrayed and disillusioned. Even elections are being conducted after the intervention by the Supreme Court. Now it (BJP) is delaying statehood,” he said.

Congress President alleged that BJP failed in J&K as contrary to its haughty claims, it stalled development, ignored the aspirations of the people and promoted corruption. “It failed to provide jobs to youth while a staggering 65 percent of government posts were lying vacant,” he alleged and assured that Congress-National Conference would provide one lakh jobs after coming to power.

Kharge said that BJP’s economic policies “hurt the most vulnerable sections of society as the farmers were denied fair prices for their produce and the poor were still struggling to make ends meet.”

“The BJP's claims of economic growth ring hollow when viewed against the backdrop of rising unemployment, inflation, and inequality. It was Congress which had initiated landmark development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including critical infrastructure and social welfare programmes,” he stated.

“We empowered the weaker sections of society through path-breaking initiatives like MNREGA and the Food Security Act. We recognized the importance of social justice and equality and worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of the marginalized. BJP’s policies are weakening the security of the nation,” the Congress president said.

Earlier, while addressing the rally, the Congress President briefly fell ill as he experienced dizziness.

However, when he recovered, he resumed his address, saying, “I’ve turned 83. But I will not die until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power. I’ll not rest as long as the BJP is ruling the country. I’ll continue to fight for you.” He alleged that BJP was running the administration in J&K through a remote-control and giving all the contracts in key sectors, including liquor and mining, to outsiders.

He was also scheduled to address another rally at Ramnagar.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Senior Vice President and Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said, “The Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was deeply moved as he paid tribute to the brave martyrs of Saturday's terror attack in Billawar. His emotions momentarily got the better of him, but he quickly composed himself to strongly reaffirm his party's unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism from the region.”

Sharma said, “On the advice of senior party leaders including AICC In-charge J&K Bharatsinh Solanki, the Congress President went for a routine check-up at Kathua Hospital. After a brief check-up, the Congress president insisted on going to Ramnagar but his chopper could not land there, so it landed in Jammu and returned to Delhi.”