Shadow Correspondent
Reasi, June, 14
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Friday hit out at the BJP government alleging that it had failed to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.“The claims of the BJP on the improvement of the situation are hollow. The BJP makes claims that they have ended terrorism after removal of Article 370 but you know how many incidents have taken place in J&K since then.. The truth is that they have failed in providing security to the people and restoration of peace,” said Bhalla during his visit in various areas of Reasi District including Kandyar, Panasa, Katra accompanied by Rajesh Sadhotra PCC General Secretary and Bupinder Jamwal Reasi District President. On this occasion, Bhalla also visited families of terror attack victims and expressed solidarity with bereaved family. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Pritam Singh, Vijay Sharma, Ajay Salaria, Mahinder Sharma, Khadam Sadiq, Bodraj, Munshi Ram Salaria, Imtiaz (Mithu), Tariq Bhat, Varinder Singh, Madan Dogra, Shahid Shah, Sohan Chand, Jagdish, Rahul Jamwal besides others.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that Congress leadership condemns in the strongest possible words the terror attacks in Jammu region killings innocents, terming it as total failure of BJP Govt to handle the situation and demanded urgent and effective measures to stop innocent killings and ensure the safety of common man in J&K. He said that Congress shall reach out to coordinate its efforts with other like-minded forces, groups, NGOs etc to fight against the “politics of hate, division and diversion” of the BJP in-order to maintain atmosphere of peace and harmony in the society.He said that Congress shall work to protect the legal rights of the landless, small and marginal farmers in bonafide use and occupation of the lands for decades and seeks framing of a fair policy based on justice and equity in this regard. The Party shall work for due Constitutional and legal rights to the SCs, STS, OBCs, Paharis and other weaker sections.
Bhalla said the BJP’s chest-thumping and “hollow” claims of return of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir have been thoroughly exposed by the three terror attacks in the region in the past three days.He said the country is demanding answers as to why those plotting against the country are not being caught under the BJP rule.The fact that BJP did not even bother to fight elections in Kashmir valley is a testament to the fact that their ‘Naya Kashmir’ policy is an abject failure,” he said. He claimed that in the past 10 years, “loud chest-thumping” by the Modi government has made national security a “casualty.” While innocents suffer the consequences of cowardly terror attacks, business as usual continues, he said.”Is it not a fact that Pir Panjal Range Rajouri and Poonch has now become a hotbed of cross-border terrorism in the past 2 years, as over 35 soldiers have been martyred, following terror attacks in these areas in the past two years, alone? And now terror has also spread to neighbouring Reasi district, which was considered relatively peaceful,” he said.
The Congress leader noted that at least 19 major terror attacks have taken place on security installations under the Modi government, including on CRPF camps, army camps, Air Force station and military stations in Pulwama, Pampore, Uri, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amarnath Yatra attack, Sunjwan Army camp, Poonch terror attacks where scores of precious lives have lost.“It is most unfortunate that common people have no medium to raise their voice for their basic necessities due to the neglect of the BJP government,” he remarked. He lamented the lack of avenues for the populace to express their concerns, leading to frustration and agitation. “The people are left with no option but to come onto the streets to express their anger and seek redressal of their genuine grievances,” he added.
Bhalla said Congress is the sole solution to address the myriad challenges facing the region. “Today, more than ever, we need a cohesive approach to overcome the challenges that confront us. Congress represents the collective strength and resolve of parties committed to the welfare and progress of Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.The former Minister urged the people of the region to throw their support behind Congress in the upcoming Assembly polls. “By supporting Congress, we can ensure that our voices are heard and our interests are represented in the highest echelons of governance,” he added. He targeted the BJP, the self-styled Messiah of the Jammu region, and asked what it has delivered during the past ten years except flaunting aggressive nationalism. The people had mandated the party for ‘Ache-Din’ and what they got in return is just a nightmare. The scenario on the development front is pathetic.
“This is not what Jammu had aspired or visualised in wildest of its dreams”, he said.
Bhalla said the situation in the so-called stronghold of BJP is so precarious that its self-styled stalwarts are now finding their home turf quite hostile because of their non-performance and lies. “It is time for the BJP to read writing on the wall and perform or perish, lest the people throw them out of the arena which they once called their stronghold”, he maintained.“BJP has not understood the idea of Jammu and Kashmir”, Bhalla said while decrying the dubious tactics being employed to hoodwink public opinion. He referred to the bogies being created by the party and said this has neither worked in the past nor will create any magic for BJP in future. He said the upcoming polls will send a terse message to the BJP for pursuing the politics of deceit and hate that has caused enormous damage to the secular fabric of this land of Sufis and Saints.
Bhalla castigated BJP for indulging in rhetoric and playing unethical politics by scheming against the overall interests of people. “It has never pursued politics based on principles but inflicted scars on public sensitivity by raking up frivolous and emotive issues to polarise the situation”, he said.He hoped the people have not forgotten the BJP duplicity while expressing confidence that they will put their decisive decision on the day of reckoning. This is discernible by the mood witnessed during the just concluded parliamentary polls, he said, adding that this will set a tone for the entire electoral process. He anticipated a big win for Congress in forthcoming assembly elections.
