Schedule of Kharge, Rahul tweaked in wake of ‘Bharat Bandh’ call: Sharma

Jammu, Aug 21: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) senior vice president and chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma Wednesday stated that the J&K visit itinerary of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was slightly tweaked just to “express solidarity with Bharat Bandh call given by SC and ST organisations against Supreme Court’s creamy layer observation.”

Sharma, while responding to media queries, said that the top leadership, which was as per earlier schedule to visit Jammu on August 21, would arrive in the winter capital on August 22 and interact with party leaders in a workers’ convention, as per already shared itinerary.

“Tour was not cancelled but rescheduled because of ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by SC, ST organisations on the issue of ‘creamy layer.’ Party leadership tweaked its schedule to express solidarity with the SC and ST organisations. Tomorrow, they will be in Jammu and interact with party leaders, delegates, block presidents and other senior leaders at Celebration banquet hall, Marble Market. It will be an open session,” he informed.

He reiterated that the sudden programme (of Kharge and Rahul) was aimed at conveying a message that Congress was serious about contesting in J&K. During the interaction, party leadership would share vision and poll agenda of Congress.

“It (Congress) will present a robust challenge. In the last 10 years, J&K has suffered the most, It lost its identity, the State was demoted, exclusive rights of its citizens were snatched and doled out to the outsiders, and even the sand and bajri were not spared. Unemployment is spiralling; youth are hopeless, moving from pillar to post for jobs. Congress will fight for their rights in assembly elections,” Sharma said.

“As far as poll alliance is concerned, talks are on as to where we can have seat adjustments (with the like-minded parties). Two sessions are already over,” Sharma said.

With which party, Congress is exploring the possibility of alliance, in response to this question, he said, “INDI Alliance members can always meet. There may be courtesy calls even. In any case, the doors of Congress are open. All secular, like-minded parties and individuals are welcome to approach as our objective is only to stop communal and dictatorial powers. Alliance, adjustment and cooperation will be part of deliberations.”

He admitted that there might be new faces in fray. “See, this is natural when we explore possibilities of seat sharing or adjustments. There will be certain established leaders, who still have maintained their connection with the people. There will be a mix of winnability and other factors while assessing the candidates. Pradesh election committee meeting is scheduled to happen while the Screening committee meeting will take place tomorrow to assess the claims of probable candidates. Final call will be taken by the central leadership,” JKPCC senior vice president said.

Ridiculing the claims of BJP of forming the next government in J&K, he asserted, “If they are so sure of their win, why is the party preparing a long list of its top leadership, including the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister as its campaigners? J&K people want change. Congress will emerge as the single largest party after elections and the next Chief Minister will be of non-BJP coalition government.”