RS polls battle to safeguard democracy, constitution: Sagar

Srinagar, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar Thursday described the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections as a decisive battle not just for political representation, but for the preservation of rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering of senior party leaders and workers at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Sagar asserted that the elections to Rajya Sabha represent a critical opportunity for all democratic and secular forces to unite against the divisive policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"These elections are not ordinary. They are a fight to protect the very soul of the Constitution, which the BJP is relentlessly trying to erode. J&K, in particular, has borne the brunt of disenfranchisement and disempowerment since 2014," said Sagar. He further added that the BJP has used every institution to silence dissent, manipulate democratic processes, and marginalise the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The Rajya Sabha must serve as a forum to raise the genuine concerns of the people of J&K, including the restoration of statehood, democratic rights and constitutional guarantees."

Sagar appealed to all like-minded parties and independent legislators to come together and ensure that voices who will truly represent the will of the people reach the upper house.