Restore statehood to J&K before assembly election: Vikar Rasool

Srinagar, July 24: President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Vikar Rasool Wani on Wednesday called for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the Assembly elections are held.

Speaking at a press conference, Wani criticised the BJP for failing to keep its promise of restoring statehood . "BJP had promised to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir but they did not,” Wani said. He asserted that if the Congress Government had been in power at the centre, statehood would have been restored within a week.

The senior Congress leader accused the BJP of curtailing the powers of the elected government to ensure that the Lieutenant Governor holds more authority, especially as they anticipate losing the forthcoming Assembly elections. He emphasized the need for the BJP to restore statehood before conducting elections in J&K.

"The elected government should be more powerful to address the grievances of the people of the state," he said, adding that it was absurd for the elected government to seek approval from the Lieutenant Governor for even minor expenditures.

When asked about the Union Budget's separate allocation for the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which would now be overseen by the Home Ministry, Wani expressed that the Congress had no objections to beneficial reforms. However, he criticised the Home Ministry's actions, stating that they indicate the BJP's lack of intention to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged Home Minister Amit Shah to restore statehood and allow the elected government to implement necessary reforms. Wani also announced that the Congress would launch WhatsApp numbers for people to lodge complaints on various issues, which would be included in the party’s manifesto. Additionally, a team led by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga will visit all districts of Kashmir to gather public opinions and demands for the manifesto.