Party committed to restoration of Statehood: Mir
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: While claiming that the Congress will form a majority Government in Jammu and Kashmir on October 4, the president of the All India Mahila Congress, Alka Lamba, stated today that the people of J&K have faced nothing but injustice over the last 10 years.
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Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a women’s convention held in South Kashmir’s Verinag, Lamba said that the women of J&K, aggrieved with the administration, are seeking justice.
“For the past 10 years, J&K has endured only injustice. The announcement of elections marks a victory for the people of J&K and for democracy. Rahul Gandhi’s five promises have resonated strongly with the women here. During his visit, he addressed issues like price rise, unemployment and women’s participation. The women here voiced their needs for ration and job reservations, and we are committed to including these demands in our manifesto,” she said.
Regarding an alliance with regional parties for the Assembly polls, Lamba, while not ruling it out, said that although there have been deliberations with the party’s J&K leadership, the final decision will come from the party high command.
“We had an alliance in the Lok Sabha elections and won two of the three seats in Kashmir. But regarding the Assembly polls, the leadership in Delhi has been regularly holding discussions with the leadership here in J&K,” she said.
“There have been changes in the party following those discussions; but as for the alliance, whatever the decision is, it will be announced in a press conference by the party leadership.”
On reports of Ghulam Nabi Azad returning to Congress, Lamba said that the Congress party is magnanimous and that those who want to return are always welcome.
“I did not speak with Azad Sahab; whatever he did was his decision. But Congress has a big heart. Those who parted ways are returning, and others also want to come back. We welcome them because this is a fight for the restoration of democracy in J&K,” she said.
Senior Congress leader and AICC general secretary, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, who also attended the party’s women’s convention, stated that they are committed to the restoration of Statehood for J&K, stressing that the people must decide who can deliver and who cannot.
“The struggle for the restoration of J&K’s Statehood is not a small one. There is a need for greater powers and parties. We are committed to this restoration. We have passed several resolutions, and the party will do everything to restore Statehood,” he said, adding that the moment Congress is elected to power, the fight for the restoration of Statehood will be their first priority.
“People have to decide who they want to represent them, especially who can deliver. I can say on behalf of Congress that we will deliver. The moment we are elected, the first fight will be for the restoration of Statehood.”
Lamba, while speaking with the media persons also said that people are eager to vote, elect their representatives, and have their issues resolved, stressing that there will be a significant change on October 4, and that Congress will have a full majority Government.
“On August 16, the elections were announced. On August 17, we had a meeting here, and now we are in Verinag, holding the first convention. Others haven’t moved yet; people are with us; they are ready, and they just want us to go ahead and nominate the candidates.”
She also mentioned that apart from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi will arrive in Kashmir in a few days to speak with the people as part of the party’s election campaign.
Regarding the issue of women’s safety, which Alka also raised during her address at the women’s convention, she criticized the PM’s rhetoric of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”
“Bilkis Bano was raped, but the accused were released. The PM campaigned for the mass rapist Prajwal Revanna. What happened to Vinesh Phogat? The Government has failed to provide security to women,” she said.
She added: “Nobody is safe in this country. Securing the people is the responsibility of the Government. If they are unable to do it, then they do not have the right to govern.”
Earlier, in her address to the women, she said that if Congress is elected to power, they will establish Women’s Police Stations in every district and resolve other day-to-day issues.
“These stations will be manned by women, and recruitment will be conducted accordingly. I have also been informed that there is a shortage of drinking water; we promise that people will get clean tap water in their homes,” she added.
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