CHHAMB, Sept 27: Exhorting the people to teach BJP a lesson for betraying their trust, the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) General secretary Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Friday said that the ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not just about electing MLAs or forming a government, but about teaching the BJP a lesson for its treachery and anti-people policies.
“For too long, the BJP has taken our people for granted, making false promises and backstabbing us at every turn. They downgraded our prestigious Dogra state to a Union Territory, snatched away our special status, and reduced our State Subject to a mere domicile state. They even took away our Dogra certificate, a symbol of our pride and identity,” Mir said while addressing an impressive public meeting in Khour in support of party candidates Tara Chand from Chhamb Assembly segment and Ashok Bhagat from Akhnoor.
“We have an opportunity to restore our dignity and honor. These elections are crucial for deciding the future of our people, and we must seize this chance to reclaim our rights and our voice,” he said, adding, “We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our beloved Jammu and Kashmir.”.
“We must remember that it’s because of the Supreme Court’s intervention and the relentless efforts of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi that we’re even having these elections”, Mr Mir said, adding “Rahul Gandhi forced the BJP-led government to conduct assembly elections, giving us a chance to reclaim our democratic rights”.
“So, let’s not waste this opportunity. Let’s come together and vote for a government that truly represents our aspirations and interests,” the AICC general secretary said and exhorted the people, “Let’s teach the BJP that they cannot take us for granted anymore. This election is our chance to write a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s history, one of hope, dignity, and self-determination”.
Mir launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their fundamental right to self-governance by snatching away their statehood. Mir also criticized the BJP’s policies in the region, labeling them as anti-people and detrimental to the interests of the citizens.
Speaking on the occasion former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said, “The BJP has suffocated the people of Jammu and Kashmir by taking away their statehood.”
“This is a blatant attack on the democratic rights of our people, and we will not tolerate it.”, he said.
Tara Chand emphasized that the INDIA alliance, comprising the Congress and other opposition parties, has consistently demanded the restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the alliance is committed to empowering the people to choose their representatives and shape their own destiny.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager for a change,” he said, adding, “They have been suffering under the BJP’s rule, which has only brought misery and hardship to our region. We will not rest until we restore the dignity and rights of our people.”
Congress leader Pragat Singh, Congress candidate for Akhnoor seat Ashok Bhagat, and others also spoke on the occasion.
