![Senior Cong leaders Raman Bhalla, Ch Lal Singh and others at Dr Manohar Lal’s massive rally in Billawar. Senior Cong leaders Raman Bhalla, Ch Lal Singh and others at Dr Manohar Lal’s massive rally in Billawar.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/page5-7-6-696x478.jpg)
Lal Singh, Dogra among thousands join Manohar’s rally
Excelsior Correspondent
BILLAWAR, Sept 5: Ahead of Assembly polls in J&K, former minister Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today asserted that Congress will bring back Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood after coming into power.
He was addressing a large public rally in Billawar constituency in presence of JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, former MP Ch Lal Singh, District president Kathua Pankaj Dogra, senior leader Kajal Rajput besides others.
In the impressive rally thousands of workers including Sarpanchs, Panchs, DDC and BDC members participated, holding party flags raising slogans in favour of party expressing confidence in victory of alliance in J&K. Earlier, rally started from Ramkote and went through Chhallan, Gujru Nagrota, Tharhakalyal, Gurhakalyal, Mandli, Dingi Simbli, Phinter, Dewal and culminated at ancient Shiv Tample, Billawar.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Manohar said, “Our leader Rahul Gandhi has promised statehood after coming to power along with National Conference. It is shocking that the status of a sensitive state on the border of the country, has been reduced to a Union Territory from the status of the state,” he added.
Criticising the BJP-led Central government’s decision of changing Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood status, he said that the decision shows the short sightedness of the BJP.
Dr Manohar further said that BJP has betrayed people of J&K, over the betrayal on the issues like unemployment, agriculture, education, health and statehood. He alleged that the voice of the people in J&K is being suppressed. He said Lieutenant Governor appointed from Delhi, holds all powers and despite promises, the restoration of statehood has been denied to the people of J&K.
Raman Bhalla criticized the BJP Government for abysmal handling of the economy, alleging that the region’s economic health has deteriorated significantly under the present regime and middle class, marginalized society are worst sufferers of directionless policies of BJP. Congress leader asserted that the full-fledged State had been downgraded in two Union Territories. He said that since then the Industrial sector of J&K UT is not in good shape, and the much-touted investments and job creation have failed to materialize on the ground.
Claiming that the government’s grand announcements regarding marginalized sections are also unfounded as these people are the worst sufferers of the directionless policies of those sitting at helm and making big claims. He said that both the Center and the UT’s administration have failed to provide the very basic amenities to the people.
Ch Lal Singh also addressed the mammoth gathering and appealed the people of Billawar to vote for a change this time.