24-09-2023 : Raman Bhalla, the Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), has voiced strong criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he perceives as the deprivation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir from having an elected government for the past five years. Bhalla emphasized that the Election Commission has a constitutional obligation to conduct assembly elections in the region, highlighting that the last such elections were held in 2014. Speaking during a public meeting organized by Dwarka Choudhary and other Corporators in Sanjay Nagar Ward-1, Bhalla expressed his concerns.
According to Bhalla, the absence of an elected government has led to a situation where the opposition is the only active political force in Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the government of not engaging with the people or political leaders and emphasized that the government’s approach seems to be centered on harassment. Bhalla stressed that it is undemocratic to deny the people of Jammu and Kashmir an elected government for such an extended period and called for the immediate scheduling of assembly elections.
Highlighting the Congress party’s commitment to democratic values, Bhalla asserted that if elected to power, they would launch various initiatives to benefit the weaker sections of society. He urged the people to support the Congress, emphasizing that it is the only party capable of countering what he perceived as the BJP’s divisive and hateful politics across the nation.
Bhalla reiterated the importance of elected representatives in a democratic setup, stating that in a democracy, the government should be run by those chosen by the people. He criticized the BJP for not addressing the issues faced by the people of Jammu, including power cuts, water supply shortages, rising commodity prices, and challenges on the border with Pakistan. He also accused the BJP of creating divisions within Jammu and Kashmir.
In contrast, Bhalla praised the previous Congress Government for its people-friendly policies, claiming that it kept different regions united and ensured equal development and employment opportunities without disparities. He assured the public that the Congress party is available for service around the clock and remains a steadfast force for healthy opposition in the country.
Bhalla concluded by acknowledging that unfortunate events have transpired in the past five years, negatively impacting the UT in various ways. However, he expressed optimism that winning elections would provide the Congress with the strength to advocate for the rights of the local population and continue the legacy of development initiated during their previous tenure in power.