Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 29: Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vikar Rasool today announced that Congress, National Conference and People’s Democratic Party will fight the Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir jointly.
Rasool said that they will soon release the seat-sharing agreement between the three parties. He made these remarks during a press conference at the party headquarters here today.
The Congress chief emphasised that the seat-sharing arrangement between Congress, PDP and NC will be made public soon, and the alliance is poised to secure all five seats in the upcoming Parliament elections by contesting together with full force.
Rasool pointed out the injustices perpetrated by the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, such as revoking the special status, installation of smart metres, increasing unemployment, and detaining individuals during the revocation of special status. “I am confident that the people will reject the BJP and support the alliance in the elections,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing farmer protests at the Simbhu border, the Congress chief said that the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), have not been fulfilled by the Modi Government.
He condemned the use of drones and concertina wires to suppress protests and assured that Congress, upon coming to power, would provide a legal guarantee for farmers’ rights and address their concerns.
“I convey this message from the Congress high command that we are committed to ensuring a legal guarantee for farmers, irrespective of whether they hail from Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere. Once in power, the Congress will empower farmers to freely sell their produce as they deem fit. Resolving all farmer-related issues will be a priority in our first term,” he said.
Rasool also advocated for holding Assembly elections alongside Parliament elections, citing the conducive situation and the Supreme Court’s directive.
He criticised the BJP for deferring Assembly elections on the pretext of security concerns and emphasised the need to ease the burden on the State exchequer by avoiding back-to-back elections.
“With Parliamentary elections approaching, we demand simultaneous Assembly polls. Why wait, especially with the court’s directive? Holding two elections back-to-back strains state finances,” he said.
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