Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Vikar Rasool Wani today said that recent actions by the Home Ministry suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party has no intention of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a press conference here, Wani expressed Congress’s commitment to fighting for the return of statehood despite the BJP’s apparent lack of commitment.
He urged Home Minister Amit Shah to restore statehood and allow reforms to be implemented by an elected Government. He expressed concern that recent changes, which grant additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor, may be a strategy by the BJP to undermine the authority of the elected Government.
“The BJP is aware they may lose the upcoming Assembly elections, so they have concentrated power with the Lieutenant Governor, undermining the democratic system,” he said.
He urged the BJP to fulfill its promise of restoring statehood before holding Assembly elections and said that a Congress-led Government would have reinstated statehood within a week.
“The elected Government should have sufficient authority to address residents’ grievances without needing approval for minor decisions from the Lieutenant Governor,” he said.
Additionally, Wani said that Congress will soon launch a WhatsApp service for public complaints, which will be included in the party’s manifesto. “A team led by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga will tour all districts of Kashmir to gather public opinions and demands for the manifesto,” he added.
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