Latish Sharma organizes workers meeting at Bahu fort Ward-48   

Absence of democratic system in J&K causing hardship to people: Bhalla

JAMMU, September 20, 2023:JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla Wednesday expressed serious concern over the difficulties confronting the people in the absence of a democratic system in J&K while slamming the government for snatching the rights of people. This was stated by Bhalla while addressing workers meeting at Bahu Fort Ward-48 organized by Latish Sharma. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Diwan Chand, Bikram Langeh,  Leela Jamwal,  Mulakh Raj, Rahul Kumar,  Ruffi Kumar, Mangat Ram, Rajiv Kumar, Satish Kumar, Chaman Lal besides others. Expressing confidence that the Congress will bounce back in a revitalized form on the J&K’s political scene, Bhalla said that the party will continue to push for peace with dignity and will form next government in the Union Territory of J&K . He said that leadership has started working on a revival plan and the cadre is being revitalized to carry on the party’s political campaign with renewed vigor.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla accused the Centre of snatching the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and said anti-people decisions of Govt were aimed at diverting attention from “real” issues.He accused the Centre of failing the people on all counts.He said J&K was divided into two Union Territories against the wishes of the people and they were now being denied their democratic rights by “the BJP aiming to hide its wrong policies and utter failure”.The Congress shall continue to fight for the democratic rights of the people and ensure justice, he said.He slammed various anti-people decisions, terming it “BJP’s deliberate move to divert the attention of the people from real issues especially rising unemployment, unprecedented price hike and other developmental issues concerning people”.

In his address, Bhalla urged the party leaders to work hard to strengthen the Congress at the grassroots level and stressed that the party “is an instrument of service to the people”.He urged his party cadres to gear up for the challenges. He said Congress is fully prepared for ULB, Panchayat, Assembly and 2024 Parliamentary elections, besides it is fully capable to defeat the divisive agenda and misleading politics of BJP. Congress shall continue to fight against the anti-people policies of BJP Govt and vigorously fight for restoration of democratic setup in J&K,”he said.He stated that BJP’s divided and rule policy and misleading politics stands exposed with the result people have decided to throw BJP out of power.

Bhalla asked the Centre to pave for holding elections in J&K without creating hurdles. He said BJP government has abandoned J&K people of their democratic rights to rule J&K directly and do whatever suits it (BJP) be it enacting different laws from time to time or be it punishing people under the garb of imposing many taxes or be it undermining the institutions to run away from transparency and accountability.Congress Party has fought for the rights of people and it will continue to fight for restoration of democratic set up and safeguarding just rights of people, Bhalla added and told the BJP government to shun the path of confrontation with the people, who are feeling isolated and disappointed over the way they are being treated by the government.

Bhalla slammed the government for failing to address extreme joblessness, economic losses, lack of development, failed back to back village initiatives after spending huge amount and many anti people measures in terms of imposing taxes, toll plazas and new drama of installing smart meters and said people are being punished on one pretext or the other aiming to hide utter failure on the part of BJP Government. Highlighting a specific issue, Bhalla said: “Every household has been provided with a blood-sucking machine known as a smart meter, and even as people protest, the Government remains indifferent. Those who used to pay a nominal amount for electricity are now burdened with hefty bills.”

Speaking on the occasion, Latish Sharma stated that the party has always held the need of dialogue and political approach as the only way out of the unending crises J&K is facing for many decades. “It will continue to pursue it till durable peace is restored in J&K and people start living a normal and peaceful life,” he said. “The J&K needs humane handling and promotion of genuine democratic process which cannot be achieved by inspired fragmentation of votes in a particular region of J&K,” he said. Sharma said people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for assembly elections and they will teach a lesson to BJP in J&K and will definitely show this party its place in the next elections.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)