People view upcoming elections as great opportunity to reinforce democracy in J&K: Sawhney

Senior Congress leaders during a party meeting at Subhash Nagar, Jammu on Sunday.
Senior Congress leaders during a party meeting at Subhash Nagar, Jammu on Sunday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: Senior Congress leader and former Minister Yogesh Sawhney today stressed upon the public of Jammu and Kashmir to view upcoming Assembly elections as great opportunity to reinforce democracy in the Union Territory.
Sawhney was addressing the party leaders and workers during the District Congress Committee Jammu (Urban) meeting held in Subhash Nagar (Jammu West), focusing on the upcoming elections and the pressing issues facing the region. Besides Yogesh Sawhney, Thakur Manmohan Singh (president of the DCC Jammu Urban) also led the discussions.
The meeting addressed critical concerns, including unemployment, development, and the ongoing struggle to restore Statehood for J&K. Yogesh Sawhney, in his address, strongly criticized the current administration for its failure to address rising unemployment. “Our youth are struggling to find jobs, while the Government remains indifferent to their plight,” Sawhney stated. He assured that if the Congress party is voted to power, it will prioritize employment generation, viewing the election as crucial for the future of the region’s youth.
Sawhney also condemned the Government’s track record on development, accusing it of making empty promises without delivering results. “People are fed up with rhetoric. This election is their opportunity to demand real change,” he asserted, emphasizing that the elections offer a chance for the people to reclaim democracy and hold the Government accountable.
Thakur Manmohan Singh highlighted the widespread discontent following the revocation of J&K’s Statehood, which he described as a betrayal. “Our heritage and pride have been taken from us, and this betrayal will resonate in the upcoming elections,” Singh said. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to restoring Statehood and defending the rights and dignity of the people of J&K.
Senior Congress leaders Bachan Lal, Kewal Krishan, Pardeep Sharma, Girdhari Lal, Om Prakash, Gopal Sharma, Bhushan Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Dewan Chand, Manohar Lal and Kamal Kishor were also present at the meeting, pledging to work tirelessly toward victory in the upcoming elections.