Sunderbani: JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma today launched a signature campaign against “vote chori” as part of the nationwide Congress initiative for a free, fair, and transparent election system, besides seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a workers’ meeting at Sunderbani town, Sharma, according to the JKPCC spokesperson, said that a free, fair, and transparent election process—from voter list preparation to result declaration—is the basic right and backbone of democracy. He said the recent disclosures by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after in-depth investigations, have revealed large-scale irregularities and illegalities in the electoral system, from manipulation of voter lists to rigging in the process, due to the alleged connivance between the Election Commission of India and the ruling BJP.
Sharma said that such revelations have shaken public trust in the electoral process and undermined the roots of democracy. He asserted that the Congress party has pledged to fight for a clean, fair, and transparent electoral system.
Accusing the BJP of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by failing to restore statehood even after six years—and over a year since the Assembly elections—Mr. Sharma said the Congress will intensify its struggle to reclaim the status and rights of full statehood. He alleged that the BJP is in the habit of making false promises and crushing the genuine aspirations of the people in order to centralize and control the entire system.
Referring to the situation in Ladakh, he said that even the peace-loving and patriotic Ladakhis have been forced to take to the streets. He warned the Centre against testing the patience of the people and urged the Government of India to restore statehood without further delay.
Sharma said that the full brigade of BJP leaders—from MPs to 28 MLAs—has failed to represent the genuine aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the restoration of statehood, leaving citizens to suffer under the dual-control administrative system.
He also questioned the delay in relief, rehabilitation, and restoration measures even after nearly two months of devastation caused by rains and floods. “A large population in several areas remains shelterless due to house collapses, sinking land, and landslides. Most main roads and internal connectivity routes are damaged, and water supplies remain defunct. However, the government’s relief and restoration efforts are missing on the ground,” he said.
Sharma added that water supplies in the town and several villages continue to be adversely affected and require urgent restoration. He also highlighted resentment among locals over the shifting of the only water tanker from the Sunderbani Sub-Division and warned of agitation if restoration work is not undertaken soon.
He demanded that the government announce a comprehensive relief package for the affected people and farmers, including waiver of KCC loans, subsidized seeds and fertilizers, and crop compensation.
Those present on the occasion included Block Presidents N.C. Sharma, Tirth Ram, Sdr. Ajit Singh, Rajesh Jamwal, D.N. Sharma, Mohinder Singh, Ashwani Sharma, Dr. Ved Sudan, Ram Lal Sharma, Ashok Kumar, Nobat Ram, Dr. Parshotam, Om Parkash, Govind Sudan, Vivek Sudan (YC), Ashok Kumar, Rajiv Chadha, Capt. Joginder Singh, Nishi Kant, Lok Nath, Bishan Khajuria, Deep Solan, and others.
