– Abdul Bari Masoud
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while addressing a public rally in Jammu, launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of destroying Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade. Without directly mentioning the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its special status, Kharge criticized the BJP as an “anti-Constitution” party determined to undermine democracy and the country’s constitutional values.
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge accused him of hypocrisy, saying, “Modi accuses Congress of being anti-national, yet he himself goes to Pakistan and embraces its Prime Minister.” He also pointed out the plight of Jammu and Kashmir under BJP rule, noting the stagnation and hardships faced by the people.
Kharge emphasized that after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the region was unjustly split into two union territories, and attempts were made to alter its demographic structure. The recent delimitation exercise, he noted, was skewed in favor of Hindu-majority Jammu, granting it 43 assembly seats, while Muslim-majority Kashmir now holds 47 seats in the 90-member assembly. This change has raised concerns among local communities about political imbalance.
He further claimed that the BJP had failed to deliver on its promises, particularly regarding employment. “The BJP promised five lakh jobs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, yet after 10 years, not a single one was provided. There are over one lakh vacancies, but no recruitment has been made,” Kharge alleged. He assured the public that a Congress-NC coalition government would prioritize filling these vacant positions.
Kharge also criticized the BJP for halting the distribution of 11 kg of food grains per person, a provision that would be restored under a Congress-led government. He expressed concern over the rising influence of drug and sand mafias in the region under BJP rule.
Appealing to the people to support the NC-Congress alliance, Kharge promised to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and resettle Kashmiri Pandits once the coalition comes to power. He also demanded transparency regarding the PM Cares Fund and called for an investigation into the electoral bond scam, accusing the BJP of escaping accountability.
Kharge reaffirmed Congress’ commitment to upholding the Constitution and protecting reservations, alleging that the BJP, influenced by RSS ideology, seeks to dismantle these protections. Despite feeling unwell during his speech, he assured the crowd of his determination, vowing to live long enough to “dethrone Prime Minister Modi.”
