Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Sept, 26:
Shashikant Khajuria, independent candidate from the 74-Jammu South (RS Pura) constituency, today conducted an extensive campaign in various key areas including Ratnuchak, Bhour Camp, Gadigarh, Sainik Colony, and Miran Sahib. Addressing enthusiastic gatherings, Shashikant Khajuria appealed to voters for their support, urging them to “vote for change, vote for development, and vote for a fresh start.”
During his speeches, Shashikant Khajuria took a strong stance against the current BJP candidate for the constituency, pointing out critical issues that have been ignored by the party candidate during its tenure. He accused the BJP of misleading the public on significant matters, including the long-pending demand for ST pahari status for the Pahari community residing in this area, the exclusion of Punjabi as an official language, and the imposition of smart meters leading to inflated electricity bills for middle-class households.
“Why is the BJP candidate, who has served as the National Secretary of the party for the past eight years, suddenly raising these issues now? He had ample opportunity to address them earlier, but chose silence. These are empty promises, intended only to deceive the people and secure votes,” Shashikant Khajuria remarked.He further criticized the BJP candidate’s lack of empathy towards the people of this constituency and people of his own community and said that not a word was spoken by the BJP candidate in favour of his own people, when was in a position of influence at that time. “How can this community forget such negligence?” he asked.
Addressing another key issue, Shashikant Khajuria highlighted the ongoing disparity in the political representation of displaced communities, noting that while Kashmiri migrants have been allotted two legislative seats, only one is reserved for POJK refugees. “Despite being a POJK refugee himself, the BJP candidate remained silent when this injustice was committed. He failed to speak up when it mattered most. He is speaking now just to get votes and again forget later,” Shashikant Khajuria said. He also criticized BJP for failing to secure adequate compensation for POJK refugees, reducing a promised ?30 lakh to a meagre ?5.5 lakh in their tenure.
In his final appeal to voters, Khajuria stressed the urgent need for fresh leadership in the constituency. “The people of 74-Jammu South have been neglected for too long. Water shortages, unemployment, and a lack of development have plagued this region for years. The big parties have had their chance and failed. It is time for a new face, with new energy, to bring the change we desperately need,” he stated.
Khajuria urged voters to support him in the upcoming elections by pressing the flute symbol on the EVM, promising to be a voice for the voiceless and to work tirelessly for the development of the constituency.
