BJP disempowered people of J&K through deceitful tactics, Jammu is worst victim: Agnihotri 

People anxiously waiting to teach BJP a lesson: Solanki 

Jammu, September 20:- Lambasting the BJP for brazenly trying to attack the identity and uniqueness of Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and special AICC observer for J&K Mukesh Agnihotri on Friday said that people will teach a lesson to the Saffron Party for its deceitful tactics.

“After meeting different sections of the society in Jammu region, I came to the conclusion to the people of this part of the State are anxiously waiting for the polling to give a befitting reply to the BJP for demonizing and disempowering them socially, culturally, and economically”, Agnihotri said while interacting with media persons at Jammu along with All India Congress Committee (AICC) Incharge J&K Affairs Shri Bharatsinh Solanki

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir will not be fooled by the deceitful tactics of the BJP.

 Despite their efforts, we will form an alliance government that truly represents the wishes and aspirations of all sections of society through a Common Minimum Programme”, he said.

“The BJP leadership is frustrated, and it shows in their actions. From the Prime Minister to MLAs, they’re roaming in different parts of J&K, trying to salvage their dwindling support, the Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said, adding, “But the fact remains, the BJP has tried to erase J&K’s identity by downgrading it from a state to a Union Territory and stopping the Darbar Move, which not only boosts the economy but is also an integral part of J&K’s heritage”.

Seeking the support of the people to develop a prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “It’s high time to teach the BJP a lesson for their misdeeds”.

Recalling the situation in J&K from 2004 to 2014 during the UPA government at the Centre, he said, “Congress has a proven track record of controlling terrorism in J&K, achieving a terrorism-free state from 2004 to 2014”. The BJP-led government, on the other hand, has seen attacks on security forces escalate, even in new areas”.

Countering allegations of BJP, Mr Agnihotri said it was during Congress regimes that Pakistan was taught lessons for its misdeeds.

“We recall the strong leadership of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave a befitting reply to Pakistan, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh”, he said.

“The era of Rahul Gandhi has begun, and the people are rallying behind him. The BJP’s vicious campaign against Rahul Gandhi won’t deter us”, he said.

Criticizing BJP for raking up irrelevant issues to divert peoples’ attention from real issues, he said, “The real issues facing J&K are statehood, corruption, Darbar Move, employment, and militancy”. 

He recalled that in the late 1980’s a mass agitation was started when the traditional practice of Darbar Move was stopped. “The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had intervened to get the Darbar Move practice restarted and pacified the agitating people”, he recalled and assured the people that Congress is committed to restoring the Darbar Move practice as it will boost the economy of Jammu province.

On the issue of statehood, Mr Agnihotri reiterated Congress’s commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

He mentioned that these two issues are prominently incorporated into the Election Manifesto of  the Congress party.

“The BJP’s proxy rule has led to rampant corruption, stalled development, and unemployment. The leaking of question papers in recruitment exams and the CBI’s investigation into Police Sub-Inspector recruitment scams are just the tip of the iceberg”

“We will form a government in Haryana and restore democracy in J&K. The people will not be swayed by irrelevant issues. We demand answers on the real concerns facing our state”, he said.

Speaking on the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Incharge J&K Affairs Shri Bharatsinh Solanki said that brisk polling in the first phase of the Assembly elections is a clear indication that residents of J&K have made up their mind to teach BJP a lesson. 

“You will see a similar pattern of voting in the second and third phases and people will J&K will teach BJP a lesson for its misdeeds and misconducts”, he said.

JKPCC senior vice president and chief spokesperson Mr Ravinder Sharma, AICC Coordinators Incharge Jammu Dolly Sharma, Onika Mehrotra, General PCC Media Namrata  Sharma , spokesperson Kapil singh were present.