Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Thursday said it would intensify its campaign for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while accusing the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of delaying the fulfilment of commitments made on the issue.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Jammu, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former minister Mula Ram, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma and Congress Legislature Party chief whip Nizamuddin Bhat said the party would strengthen its ongoing “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” campaign and continue to press for the restoration of statehood along with constitutional safeguards for land, jobs and natural resources.
The Congress leaders alleged that the BJP had failed to honour assurances regarding statehood that, according to them, had been made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on various occasions, including in Parliament and before the Supreme Court.
Bhat said the demand for statehood was a long-standing public demand and argued that people were seeking the implementation of commitments already made by the Centre. He reiterated the party’s position in favour of full statehood and constitutional protections for land and employment.
The Congress leaders also referred to the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking restoration of statehood, describing it as a reflection of public sentiment on the issue.
They further alleged that the Centre was delaying the restoration process despite the presence of an elected government in the Union Territory. The leaders claimed that the delay was contrary to democratic aspirations and the spirit of representative governance.
The party also announced that it would participate in the nationwide programmes planned by the INDIA bloc from October 2 onwards. Congress leaders said the statehood campaign in Jammu and Kashmir would continue alongside these initiatives.
The BJP had not immediately responded to the Congress’s allegations.
