Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 02
Former Minister and Congress candidate from Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary seat Raman Bhalla on Tuesday holds series of election meetings in RS Pura and Suchetgarh constituency. Earlier Raman Bhalla was given rousing welcome at Miran Sahib, Tali Morh, Simbal Morh, Kullian, Dablehar, Darsopur, Plaser, Kalyana, Biaspur, Parlah, Agra chak. Prominent among those who accompanied Bhalla include Ex Minister RS Chib, Ex Minister Suman Bhagat, Ex Minister Gharu Ram , Distt President Hari Singh Chib, Distt Sr. Vice President Ravinder Singh, Dr. Gagan Bhagat, Vimla Luthra, Ramesh Mottan, Ch. Sukhdev Singh, Sushma Choudhary, Pawan Raina, Sahil Sharma, Sobha Singh, Ch Mohan, Sarpanch, Panch, Corporators, Block President, Ward President workers, supporters in large number.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that BJP totally ignored the border people and farmers of Jammu region and they have been left to suffer badly.Bhalla targeted BJP at the Centre and also previous BJP-PDP regime in the State for the situation along the borders in J&K and said that ceasefire violations have increased during Modi regime.He alleged that border villagers and the farmers were the worst victims of the policies of BJP Government and this party only raised hollow slogans while the welfare of these people was never taken care of. He said that no plots were provided to the border people as promised by this Government.Bhalla said even the West Pakistan refugees, DPs of 1947, 65 and 71 have been ignored. The Cong had approved Rs 25 lakh package per family but BJP provided just Rs 5.30 lakh. He said the pace of disbursement of package was very slow. Hardly a little amount could be disbursed against Rs 9000 cr sanctioned by the Centre so far by the officials concerned.
He said the people of the State are fed up of the policies of BJP and want change. The recent elections in Rajasthan, MP and Chhatisgarh have set the trend. He said J&K would also witness a change this time. He asked the party workers to gear up for elections.Bhalla castigated the BJP government for anti-people policies. He lashed out at the BJP for ditching the people of the country by their false promises and jumlas. He said that BJP got power by exploiting the sentiments of people on the name of 2 crore jobs every year, Article 370, 35-A, Hindu CM, Rs 15 Lakh in every account, bringing back black money from Swiss Banks etc.
But they failed on every front. They worked on the agenda of divide and rule by polarizing the society on the name of caste, creed and religion adding that now the public is disillusioned by the BJP and want change. He urged people to join Congress so that the state may be brought back to the track of overall development. He asked the workers to get ready to work day and night to ensure his win as his victory from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency will be a surety that now their grievances will be finally addressed.
Bhalla strongly maintained that under the leadership of Party President, Rahul Gandhi, Congress is re-emerging as a strong force in the country while Prime Minister Shri Narinder Modi and BJP have been on decline even in their strong holds. The Prime Minister and entire BJP leadership is harping on other emotive issues and tactics of diversion and distraction to retain power.Bhalla appreciated the Congressmen of this border belt who remained the backbone of party all through and returned Congress in difficult times reflecting their commitment to the ideology of the party. Even Late Mufti Mohd. Sayeed won from R.S.Pura from Congress ticket. He said the exploitation machinery of BJP can’t succeed this time and now people understand the game plan of BJP who stand exposed on their own slogans. The large presence of Congress workers today is an indication of the change mood of the people and Congress is sure to come out stronger in the coming elections as the opportunist coalition utterly failed in all three region of the State. He appreciated the efforts of former Minister RS Chib for organizing this massive function with all Congressmen putting in their best efforts.
Bhalla also lashed at BJP for weakening the Panchayat Raj system by amending the Panchayat Raj Act and asked people to teach them lesson for diluting their rights and weakening the 73rd amendment, incorporated in the state by Congress party.He slammed BJP for its total surrender over the promises made to the people of Jammu region and blamed their government of doling out discrimination to the Jammu region on all fronts. He said that BJP compromised on all issues and slogans for the sake of power and they stand badly exposed.He asked BJP to explain its U-turn on Art. 370, Art. 35-A and minority status besides discrimination and inequality in share in employments he said BJP would face worst ever defeat in the coming elections in view of their total failure to deliver on all fronts.
He lambasted the BJP for befooling and exploiting the religious and regional sentiments of people in Jammu region for political gains but took U-turn on all those issues and slogans. The people of border areas and our brave soldiers are sacrificing their lives because of the failures of the Modi’s government policy. He also referred to the visionary and pro-farmer land acquisition law introduced by Congress but BJP’s policies are anti-farmer.Raman Bhalla lashed out at the coalition partners for their discriminatory policies and accused BJP of total surrender on the issues of people of Jammu region. He said that same party which claims to represent the religious and other aspirations of the people of Jammu have compromised on the religious sentiments in the matter Shri. Amarnath Shrine and Mata Vaishno Devi and other such matters. He questioned the role of BJP towards their ideology and commitments while power sharing with PDP.
He also strongly criticized the BJP state and centre government over the approach towards farmers of this belt, who are agitating for due and rightful demands. He said Congress party is fully behind them and would support their genuine cause.Bhalla highlighted the plight of border belt especially of farmers and refugees and said that BJP totally betrayed the trust of people. The poor and downtrodden section of the society are hard-pressed due to unprecedented price hike and anti people policies of the State and Centre government and hook towards congress party to represent their voice and anger.He also said that the countdown of BJP in the country has started because people have understood its real face. “BJP has no programme and policy for the welfare of people except to divide the people on communal line,” alleged Bhalla.
