Several leaders of various political parties join Congress

J&K feel suffocated, waiting eagerly for democratically elected Congress govt: Bhalla

Jammu, September 15:- Several leaders of various political parties and hundreds of workers associated with them, on Friday joined the Congress in Jammu, extending the massive shift of political leaders to the Congress party, under the leadership of JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla. He welcomed everyone to the party and called upon them to reach the Congress’s policies door-to-door by getting into the field. Those who joined include Dev Raj Bhagat (District Vice President Aam Admi Party), Principal Yashpal (Town President Aam Admi Party), Capt. Bodh Raj (Zone President Aam Admi Party), Sohan Lal, Somnath, Bhushan Kumar, Mulkh Raj, Ashok Kumar, Satpal, Mangat Ram, Darshan Lal Bhagat (Retd JK Bank Manager) of Bishnah.  

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla  said that public anger was on the rise against BJP Govt’s wrong policies in J&K. He alleged that every section of the society is fed up with this “anti-people” dispensation. He urged the people to get rid of the “anti-people” BJP in the next Assembly elections. He said all sections of the society are suffering because of “anti-people policies” of the BJP Government. He said that the poor-sections of the society are suffering a lot due to mis-rule of both Central and LG Administration, which are led by BJP.He asked the people that if they want to mitigate their sufferings, they must come under the banner of Congress Party whose leaders have sacrificed their whole life for the upliftment of poor masses of India. Senior Congress leader accused the BJP Government of befooling the people of J&K by its false claims of development.

Bhalla lashed out at BJP for abandoning people with their problems being related to the basic amenities during its nightmarish rule, saying the promises made during 2014 Parliamentary and Assembly elections proved just hoax. They said BJP did nothing for the people except generating passions on religious and regional lines.

The people have been living miserable life during the past more than nine years, with nobody addressing their problems, he added.He also launched scathing attack on BJP and alleged that they have let down the people of Jammu region. They said the BJP stands totally exposed before the people of Jammu. He stated that the BJP is encountering widespread public discontent in J&K due to its policies that are perceived as unfavorable to the poor and middle class.

Bhalla intensified his criticism of the incumbent government’s policies, asserting that it has failed to fulfill its promises of generating employment for the youth, supporting weaker sections of society, and providing much-needed relief to underprivileged sections of society. Addressing the delay in elections, Bhalla commented, “The BJP is avoiding elections due to mounting concerns. The living conditions of those on the brink of poverty have not improved. Amid rampant inflation and unemployment, discontinuing food schemes has only compounded the daily struggles of the people. How can the BJP face those from whom it has taken away sustenance? How can a government that has imposed excessive taxes on the people confront them? Our struggling middle class, Below Poverty Line (BPL) individuals, and other marginalized communities are especially suffering.” He continued, “They are unwilling to confront the people and are evading elections using various excuses. They cited constituency delimitation and electoral roll revisions as reasons, which were completed long ago. They even mentioned unsuitable weather, but they lack justifications for further delaying the polls.”

Bhalla affirmed, “Congress is dedicated to uplifting the disadvantaged sections of society. Our history reflects a commitment to pro-poor and pro-marginalized actions. In the future, the Congress will persist in working for the welfare of the poor, downtrodden, and the working class.” He  urged upon the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to pay urgent attention as the public is suffering badly. He said that the BJP’s claim of providing ‘pro-people’ governance stand exposed as Central Government has failed miserably to address the issues affecting the general public. He castigated the BJP government, saying that the common man is going through the worst sufferings under the current dispensation, which has sold its soul to few businessmen, ignoring the agonies of the countrymen. The victims of these three issues are the common men, the countrymen who are the true sons of the soil,” said the former Minister.“The BJP claims that theirs is a government of the people, for the people. I ask them to explain how it could be a public friendly government when the common man is suffering from these issues for so long now,” he asked.

 Bhalla observed that votes should be sought on the plank of nation building, development, upliftment of poor and not by exploiting religion.  In this grim scenario, the youth have to play a crucial role by negating and isolating all such forces which hoodwink them by generating fear about religion being in danger”, he added. Expressing dismay over functioning of the BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla referred to nepotism and favoritism in the process of selection to various posts and said the scenario is dismal.

Apparently referring to alleged backdoor appointments, he said the confidence of meritorious youth have shattered, which call for course-correction. Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that the first and the foremost priority for the union government should have been immediate restoration of Statehood to J&K which would have eventually paved the way for resumption of democratic processes. “Unfortunately, one fails to understand the reasons for the delay in the decisions of urgent nature when it comes to J&K,” he remarked. Bhalla observed that people in J&K are already reeling under severe pressure of economic depression. “Administratively also the people in J&K feel suffocated and are waiting eagerly for a democratically elected government to address their sufferings. But the people at the helm in Delhi seem to be least bothered about these important public issues and are instead adding to their woes by these rushed decisions,” he added. Bhalla said lack of will in the government has pushed all Sectors to the extreme levels of insignificance.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)