JAMMU: In a scathing critique of the central BJP government’s prolonged delay in conducting assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Vikar Rasool Wani, the State Unit Chief of Congress, expressed unwavering confidence in the opposition bloc INDIA’s ability to secure all five parliamentary seats in the Union Territory in the imminent polls.
Vikar Rasool Wani didn’t mince words as he predicted a resounding defeat for the BJP in the forthcoming elections, akin to their loss in the Kargil council polls. Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government since 2018, with the last assembly elections taking place in 2014.
“They (BJP) will face a similar defeat in assembly and parliamentary elections in the future,” Wani declared, highlighting the BJP’s failure to hold elections for nearly a decade as a testament to their apprehension of impending electoral losses. He went on to express full confidence in the prospects of the INDIA alliance in the forthcoming elections, stating, “All five seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be clinched by the INDIA alliance. The people will rally behind the alliance.”
Wani further pointed out that the BJP’s reluctance to hold elections stems from their anticipation of defeat, a point he substantiated by citing the avoidance of municipal and panchayat elections. He painted a vivid picture of the potential consequences, suggesting that if assembly elections were held, the BJP might find themselves “fleeing across the Lakhanpur entry point into Jammu and Kashmir.”
Addressing the conspicuous absence of National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah and PDP Chief Mebooba Mufti from a joint opposition protest held in Jammu on October 10, Wani asserted that there were no divisions among the opposition parties. He clarified that Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s non-participation was due to his advanced age, while his supporters were indeed present at the event. Leaders and members from various parties, including the NC, PDP, and Congress, joined forces in solidarity.
In addition to his electoral predictions, Wani accused the BJP of imposing a state of emergency in Jammu and Kashmir. He further alleged that the BJP was exploiting the Union Territory’s resources, exemplified by their handling of power projects in Kishtwar.