Jammu: Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former Minister Raman Bhalla on Wednesday came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of subverting democratic values, manipulating electoral processes, and betraying the faith of the people through what he termed as “Vote Chori”—a systematic attempt to distort the people’s mandate for political gain.
Bhalla was addressing a large gathering of Congress workers and local residents at Karan Bagh, Ward Number 73, in the R.S. Pura–Jammu South Assembly constituency, where he formally launched the Congress’s “Vote Adhikar” (Right to Vote) signature campaign. The initiative aims to mobilize public opinion against electoral malpractices by the BJP and strengthen people’s resolve to protect the sanctity of the democratic process.
The campaign received an overwhelming response, with thousands of people—students, traders, farmers, and social activists—signing the petition to demand electoral reforms and accountability from the ruling party.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla accused the BJP leadership of “bulldozing every democratic institution in the country” and “misusing power to silence dissent and distort democracy.”
He said the ruling party has “weaponized” government machinery to influence elections, intimidate opposition voices, and mislead citizens through propaganda.
“The BJP has systematically undermined the pillars of democracy—be it the Election Commission, Parliament, or the independent media. The very institutions that were created to safeguard people’s rights are being manipulated to serve the ruling party’s political interests,” Bhalla remarked amid applause from the gathering.
He said that the Vote Adhikar campaign is part of a nationwide effort by the Congress Party to expose the BJP’s electoral misdeeds and educate the public about the threats posed to democratic governance.
“Our fight is not just against a political party—it is a fight to preserve India’s democratic ethos, the values enshrined in the Constitution, and the right of every citizen to freely choose their representative,” he added.
Referring to the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla said it has been a year since the Assembly elections were held, yet the BJP has failed to fulfill even a single promise made to the people of the region.
“The BJP won several seats through deceitful means, riding on false promises and exploiting people’s emotions. But once in power, their representatives have completely vanished from public life. They neither meet people nor address their grievances,” he said.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of betraying the aspirations of the youth and ignoring the mounting issues of unemployment, price rise, and administrative apathy.
“The youth of Jammu are migrating in search of jobs, small traders are reeling under economic pressure, and farmers are facing unprecedented distress. Yet BJP leaders are busy celebrating hollow victories and photo-ops,” Bhalla charged.
He also took strong exception to the BJP’s failure to respond to recent natural disasters that struck several parts of the Jammu region.
“When flash floods wreaked havoc and hundreds of families were left devastated, not a single BJP MLA or MP visited the affected areas. Their absence during such a critical time speaks volumes about their disconnect from the people. The so-called ‘public servants’ have confined themselves to the comforts of their homes and security convoys while common citizens suffer,” he said.
Bhalla further accused the BJP of “deliberately dividing communities” for political mileage.
“Instead of addressing developmental issues, the BJP is busy spreading communal hatred and dividing society on religious and regional lines. This politics of polarization is a dangerous trend that weakens the social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir,” he cautioned.
He urged Congress workers to strengthen the Vote Adhikar campaign in every panchayat, ward, and constituency across the Union Territory.
“We must reach every doorstep to awaken the people. It is our moral duty to defend democracy and restore the people’s trust in fair elections,” Bhalla said, calling upon citizens, especially the youth, to actively participate in the movement.
Reaffirming Congress’s commitment to people-centric governance, he said, “Our party has always stood for truth, transparency, and accountability. We believe that political power must flow from the will of the people, not from manipulation or deceit.”
Bhalla concluded his address by asserting that the Congress would continue its struggle to expose the BJP’s misrule and ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard.
“The Vote Adhikar campaign is not just a political exercise—it is a people’s movement to reclaim democracy from those who have hijacked it for their selfish interests,” he declared.
