Fight for statehood will intensify, Congress vows mass campaign against ‘vote theft’ and democratic erosion
SRINAGAR, Sept 29: Asserting that the struggle for Jammu and Kashmir’s dignity and democratic rights is far from over, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday vowed that the party will continue its fight for the restoration of statehood and the protection of democratic institutions. Chairing a key meeting of coordinators and district presidents from Kashmir province at the party’s Srinagar office, Karra announced that Congress will soon launch a massive signature campaign across all districts to mobilize public opinion against what he described as “vote theft” orchestrated through the alleged ECI–BJP nexus.
“This campaign will awaken people to the BJP’s undemocratic and immoral measures designed to manipulate elections, suppress opponents, and cling to power despite its monumental failures on every front,” Karra said. He warned that the systematic assault on democratic norms since the BJP came to power poses a grave threat to India’s constitutional fabric. “The erosion of institutions by the ruling dispensation is dangerous and unacceptable. Congress will defeat this threat to safeguard democracy and its institutions,” he asserted.
Highlighting recent revelations made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Karra said the Election Commission’s actions have further exposed its bias. “Instead of acting against electoral fraud after Rahul Gandhi exposed evidence of vote manipulation, the ECI sought an affidavit from him, a move clearly aimed at diverting attention and covering up wrongdoing,” he said. He added that the ECI, constitutionally tasked with ensuring free and fair elections, appears to be shielding and even enabling electoral malpractice to benefit those in power, a trend that carries serious consequences for India’s democracy.
Reaffirming Congress’s unwavering commitment to the cause, Karra declared, “The vigorous fight for statehood shall continue, and we will not rest until Jammu and Kashmir regains its rightful status.” He urged party leaders to intensify their grassroots outreach and strengthen public engagement in their respective districts to build a united front against democratic backsliding.
The meeting was attended by several senior leaders, including MLA Nizam Ud Din Bhat, MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, former MLAs Bashir Ahmad Magray and Abdul Rahim Rather, as well as Abdul Gani Khan, Nissar Ahmad Mundo, Abid Ahmad Bhat, Adil Farooq Mir, Suhail Bukhari, and others.
