Self-styled Messiah of Jammu region proved dream-sellers: Bhalla

JAMMU, April 28, 2023:- JKPCC Working President and former Minister Raman Bhalla on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP dispensation for pushing Jammu and Kashmir to wall by creating a situation of drift, showing insensitivity towards peoples’ aspirations and forcing every section of society to follow path of confrontation, as a result of which J&K is in total chaos. This was observed by former Minister while interacting with aggrieved people of Bahu Constituency at Bahu Fort. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Diwan Chand, Sahil Shavotra, Pintu Sagotra, Ram Lal Sagotra, Dev Khokhar, Kundan Lal, HL Chalotra, Mohan Lal Shavotra,Mangat Ram beside others.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that bond that Congress share with people of J&K was age old and watered by the mutual trust. “Our party has survived various watershed moments since its inception on account of its deep-seated connection with people of J&K. The party will continue to mirror the aspirations of people. No power on earth can brush-off Congress from the political scene of J&K since we draw our sustenance from people. Time has again proven that Congress is the true representative voice of the people of J&K and Congress is not just a party, but a movement,” said Bhalla. He said J&K was at crossroads and the democracy has been lent dysfunctional. “The opposition has been repressed, political voices dismembered and the economy in shambles, wrong policies have only aggravated the already grim scenario prevailing since last nine years. Every single sector is ailing, what good has been achieved by successive elected governments since 1996 has been put into a chasm,” he said.

Bhalla said Congress owing to its representative character and deep-rooted bond with people has been in a line of fire from such forces as were inimical towards genuine interests of people of J&K.  He said the way party remained together shows how deeply rooted the party was amongst people of J&K.”Politics for us is a medium to serve people and give voice to the socio-political aspirations of people of J&K. The tragedy that befell on us by snatching statehood has deeply enraged us but has failed to dent our determination.  The way the peace loving people of J&K withstood the assault on their identity also merits appreciation. The measures have also not fared well in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” Bhalla said.

Bhalla said Congress would continue to work on the “sacred mission” of restoring what was snatched from people of J&K by BJP Govt. He also urged the government to come up with a pragmatic mechanism to address these important matters in tandem with the sentiments and emotions of the people of J&K. “Confusing signals are coming from BJP leaders on these issues of vital importance from time to time, which instead of easing tensions and instilling a sense of confidence, create more doubts among the highly apprehensive and worried people,” Bhalla said. He  said elections are part of democracy and every political party is supposed to be ready for such an exercise and process. He said Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a difficult phase and there is need first to reach out to the people win their hearts and minds and assuage their aspirations. This can thereafter be supplemented by a genuinely democratic political process, he added.

Bhalla said that both the regions of Kashmir and Jammu are on boil because of the wrong policies of the govt. Former Minister targeted the BJP, the self-styled Messiah of the Jammu region, and asked what it has delivered during the past nine years except making tall claims of imaginary development in J&K. The people had mandated the party for ‘Ache-Din’ and what they got in return is just a nightmare. The scenario on the development front is pathetic. “This is not what Jammu had aspired or visualized in wildest of its dreams”, he said. “How long will you hide under the umbrella of central leadership and get on with misadventures, which touched dangerous proportions during over nine years of misrule in J&K,” he asked and advised them to read “writing on the wall” and apologize to the people of Jammu for “ditching” them.Bhalla termed the BJP leaders as dream sellers and referred to the total neglect of all sections of society.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)