Congress highlights its seven guarantees for J&K, BJP leaders slam NC-Congress alliance

New Delhi [India], September 22 (ANI): The campaigning for the second phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Sunday and the political parties held hectic campaigns in support of their candidates. While Congress reaffirmed its seven guarantees to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as part of its campaign, senior BJP leaders held rallies to shore up the prospects of party candidates and slammed the National Conference-Congress alliance.

The second phase of polling will be held in 26 assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir on September 25.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who has campaigned in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasised the party’s agenda in a post on X.

He said seven guarantees of Congress will usher in a brighter future for people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Indian National Congress pledges to safeguard the Constitutional Rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our progressive development agenda is for everyone,” the Congress president wrote. The 7 guarantees of the Congress party for Jammu and Kashmir will usher in a brighter future, which focusses on social justice and economic empowerment,” he said.

The Congress chief also shared a video which highlighted the seven guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir.

Under “Achi Sehat Humara Haq” health initiative, the party has promised upto Rs 25 lakh of health insurance for every family, along with universal, affordable, and accessible healthcare in 30 minutes via ambulance-equipped mobile clinics in every tehsil.

The guarantees include “Mahila Samman Scheme,” which promises monthly transfers of Rs 3,000 to women heads of households among economically weaker sections, along with free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for self-help groups.

The party said it will fully implement former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s policy for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, protection of OBCs in line with the Constitution and fill one lakh vacant government jobs.

The party has promised 11 kg of foodgrains for every family member. The party has promised to work for quality and affordable education for all students.

It plans to establish state-of-the-art model schools at the block level and model boarding schools in each district to ensure equitable access to quality education.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the Congress party and its alliance partner National Conference (NC) are dedicated to placing the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) at the centre of their policymaking.

He emphasized that the Congress’ “progressive development agenda” aims to transform Jammu and Kashmir.

“As Jammu and Kashmir votes to shape its own destiny after a decade, the Congress and its alliance is committed to keeping the people of the state at the centre of its policymaking,” KC Venugopal posted on X.

He highlighted that the alliance would pave the way for the J-K to attain full statehood while bringing relief to the youth and farmers.

“We will carve out a path for J-K to attain full statehood, bring relief to the youth, farmers, and poor suffering due to misgovernance, and bring an end to the rampant corruption taking place throughout the state. Ours is a progressive agenda that will transform J&K!” he added.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed a rally on Sunday in Rajouri, reiterated India’s commitment to fostering peaceful relations with its neighbours, including Pakistan, but emphasised that dialogue with Pakistan would depend on its commitment to halting terrorist activities targeting India.

Addressing a public rally, Rajnath Singh remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting his focus on humanity, democracy, and Kashmiriyat.

“Our former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, emphasised humanity, democracy, and Kashmiriyat. We have a principle: if we want to live peacefully, we should maintain good relations with our neighbours. We want good relations with all our neighbouring countries, even with Pakistan. But they (Pakistan) is encouraging terrorism. How can we maintain good relations when they continue to promote terrorism? If they guarantee they will not launch terrorism on Indian soil, we are ready to engage in dialogue with them,” Singh said.

.In response to Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif backing the National Conference’s stance on Article 370, Singh said that the government would not allow Pakistan’s “evil agenda” to succeed in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Pakistan’s Defence Minister has said that Congress and its ally National Conference want the return of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan also wants the same. The question arises whether Congress and the National Conference are working as Pakistan’s proxy. Why do the Congress and its broken INDI Alliance raise the same issues again and again, which come from Pakistan? These are the people who raised questions about Pulwama. Proofs of surgical strike and air strike were demanded,” he alleged.

“All these things are clearly indicate that efforts are being made to run Pakistan’s agenda. But I want to tell both sides that we will not allow Pakistan’s evil agenda to work in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Singh also pointed to the high voter turnout in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly elections as a sign of the positive changes in the region.”The first phase of voting ended on September 18. More than 61 per cent of votes were cast in 24 seats here. People came out of their homes and voted without any fear and have given a message to the whole world that this Jammu and Kashmir has changed for the better after the abolition of Article 370,” he noted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who addressed a public meeting in Nowshera, said that the central government will not hold any talks with Pakistan until terrorism is eliminated.

He also hit out at the National Conference over its stance on bringing back Article 370.

“Farooq Abdullah says that they will bring back Article 370. Farooq Sahab, nobody can bring back Article 370. Now, bunkers are not needed because no one can dare to fire bullets. ‘Agar wahan see goli aayi to goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega’. They want to bring back Shiekh Abdullah’s flag. Only our tricolour will wave in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism continued in Jammu and Kashmir for 30 years, curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir for 3000 days in 30 years, 40,000 people were killed. Farooq Sahab, where were you during those days? Let me tell you, when Kashmir was burning, Farooq Sahib was comfortably holidaying in London,” Shah said.

The second and third phase will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively. The first phase of polling was held on September 18. Votes will be conducted on October 8 along with that for Haryana assembly polls.