Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: The closing of the `Azad Ki Gaurav Padyatra’ rally was held by Congress Party today with the Congress leaders marching from Tali Morh to Shaheedi Chowk (PCC office) and some other parts of Jammu and Kathua districts.
PCC working president, Raman Bhalla and general secretary Yogesh Sawhney I/C DCC Jammu (U) led the rally. The five-day long Padyatra had started on Aug 9 from Bhore Camp where the Congress leaders had resolved to march on foot passing through various areas across Jammu. The Congress is celebrating the completion of 75 years of independence.
While undertaking rally, the party leaders highlighted various failures and policy flaws of the BJP-led Union Government, such as inflation, unemployment etc. They demanded restoration of statehood for J&K.
Speaking at the closing of the rally, Raman Bhalla said that the Congress concluded the Azadi ki Gaurav Yatra today. The long journey on foot undertaken by party members and workers has been reminiscent of the march for freedom undertaking during the struggle for independence by the leaders of that time. He said the Congress carries the same spirit of independence to eradicate all oppressive and harmful forces which pose danger to the welfare of the people.
Sawhney congratulated the Congress Party people for completing the Padyatra. “We remember our freedom fighters and leaders with immense pride. The citizens of India today also carry anger, resentment and disappointment with the state of affairs today. The yatra, hence, was also meant to condemn the various failures of the BJP government that have pushed the country into a miserable state,” he added.
JKPCC general secretary and former MLA Th Balwan Singh led another Padyatra which started from Janipur Chowk and culminated at Bantalab to strengthen the bonds of social harmony that are under stress and against price rise, unemployment and imposition of Goods and Services Tax on essential food items.
Speaking on the occasion, Balwan Singh criticizing the policies of the BJP-led government said “We regret snatching the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and transforming it into a Union Territory. BJP Govt talks of Naya Kashmir, normalcy and development but we don’t see the development on the ground, while frequent militant attacks expose their claims of normalcy.” Senior leaders Manohar Lal, Vinod Sharma, Pranav Shagotra and others also accompanied.
Similar, Padyatra was taken out by former MLA Billawar and senior Congress leader Thakur Balbir Singh in Jastrota-Mangloor-Dinga Amb area of Kathua district.
Functionaries of PCC, DCCs, Block and Ward Congress Committees besides frontal wings of the party participated in the Padyatras.
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