NEW DELHI, Sept 25: As Jammu and Kashmir entered the second phase of its pivotal assembly elections, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, delivered a compelling message to the people, urging them to vote for the INDIA bloc. He emphasized that every vote cast for the alliance would dismantle the “chakravyuh of injustice” imposed by the BJP and pave the way for prosperity in the region. Gandhi’s call comes at a crucial juncture, as the voters of Jammu and Kashmir face the opportunity to shape their future through the ballot box.
In a pointed reference to the challenges the region has faced, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also appealed to the voters, reminding them of the decade “lost in betrayal” under BJP rule. He underscored the historic downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory, urging the electorate to reflect on these setbacks and use their democratic power to secure a brighter future. Kharge stressed that the region is on the verge of significant change, and the current elections are key to ensuring that transition.
With over 2.5 million voters eligible to participate, the stakes are high as they decide the fate of 239 candidates, including prominent political figures like former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Voting commenced at 7 am across 26 constituencies under tight security, underscoring the importance of this phase in determining the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
जम्मू-कश्मीर के मेरे भाइयों और बहनों, आज दूसरे चरण का मतदान है, बड़ी संख्या में निकल कर अपने हक़, खुशहाली और बरकत के लिए वोट करें – INDIA को वोट करें।
आपसे आपका statehood छीन कर भाजपा सरकार ने आपका अपमान और आपके संवैधानिक अधिकारों से खिलवाड़ किया है।
INDIA को दिया आपका एक-एक…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 25, 2024
In a social media post, Kharge reinforced the urgency of the moment, saying, “As the second phase of voting unfolds for 26 assembly seats, I urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights.” His appeal echoes the broader call from the Congress leadership to seize the moment and vote for transformative change that could reverse years of perceived injustice, unemployment, and misgovernance.
Rahul Gandhi’s reference to the “chakravyuh” – a complex, almost inescapable battle formation in Indian mythology – was symbolic of the political and social challenges that have gripped Jammu and Kashmir over the last decade. His message was clear: only through collective action and participation in the democratic process can the region escape this cycle of injustice and build a prosperous, secure future.
These elections, according to both Gandhi and Kharge, represent a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir, offering the people a chance to break free from the constraints of the past and chart a new course for themselves and future generations. As the people of Jammu and Kashmir cast their votes, the message from the Congress leadership is one of hope, change, and the restoration of their democratic and constitutional rights.