JAMMU: Leaders of the Congress, National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Panthers Party India (NPPI) on Saturday announced a series of “Save Democracy” protest marches across Jammu and Kashmir from October 4 to October 8, culminating in a joint march in Jammu on October 7 as part of the INDIA bloc’s nationwide campaign on electoral issues.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Jammu after a meeting of senior leaders of the alliance parties.
According to the leaders, district-level protests will be organised across Jammu and Kashmir between October 4 and October 8, while the main march in Jammu will be held on October 7. They said the programme forms part of the first phase of the INDIA bloc’s nationwide campaign launched on October 2.
The meeting was attended by JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former minister Mula Ram, Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, JKNC Provincial President Ratan Lal Gupta, former MLC Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Ram Paul Sharma, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Sat Pal Charak and Gagan Pratap Singh, among others.
Addressing the media, the leaders alleged irregularities in the electoral process and criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They claimed that a large number of voters had been removed during the exercise and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The alliance leaders alleged that democracy was under threat and said their campaign would seek reforms to ensure the independence and fairness of the Election Commission of India. They accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral system and said the opposition parties had come together to fight what they termed “vote chori”.
They announced support for the nationwide “Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao” campaign and said opposition Members of Parliament would march to the Election Commission office in New Delhi on October 6 and seek an appointment with the President of India.
The leaders also reiterated their demand for the early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that there had been an undue delay in fulfilling the commitment made by the Central government.
They said the series of protests would be aimed at highlighting their concerns regarding the electoral process and mobilising public opinion on issues related to democracy and statehood.
