Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 13: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President (JKPCC) Vikar Rasool today accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government of using coercive tactics to fracture the opposition INDIA alliance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters, Rasool condemned what he termed the BJP Government’s habitual misuse of institutions such as the Income Tax Department, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and now the Enforcement Directorate in an attempt to weaken the India bloc in Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to queries regarding recent actions taken against National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah by the Enforcement Directorate, Rasool expressed strong disapproval, labelling such actions as politically motivated.
“We strongly denounce such politically motivated action. Across the country, opposition leaders are being targeted while ruling party allies escape scrutiny. This echoes election irregularities witnessed in neighbouring countries,” he said.
He, however, reiterated that they have full confidence that the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the whole country will reject the BJP’s attempt to sway elections by outright rejection. “Through a unified front with our alliance partners, including the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, we aim to win all five seats in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat in Ladakh as well,” he said.
Rasool also accused the BJP of adopting tactics reminiscent of election practices in neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have faced international criticism. He pointed to alleged tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs) to sway election outcomes in favour of the ruling party. “The BJP is known for tampering with EVMs to benefit them. As we have witnessed in the past, the votes of people are being directed to the ruling party through tampered EVMs,” he said.
Highlighting the party’s preparations for the elections, Rasool disclosed the establishment of war rooms in both the Jammu and Kashmir regions. “Our focus is on countering the BJP’s injustices, including stripping the state of its special status and exacerbating unemployment. We are engaging with voters on these critical issues,” he said.
Rasool reiterated the party’s agenda to address pressing issues, announcing upcoming workers’ meetings in Jammu and Srinagar, led by All India Congress Committee President Mallikargun Kharge, to mobilise booth-level agents actively.
Looking ahead, Rasool emphasised intensifying grassroots efforts to garner support at the local level. He underlined the Congress party’s readiness to win parliament elections alongside alliance partners. “We are committed to thwarting the BJP’s ascent to power, standing united to uphold the collective mandate,” he said.
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