Congress sees mid-term polls in J&K

The Congress on Friday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party for “allowing” the release of separatist leaders like Masarat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that the state will witness mid-term polls within a year.

Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma asked the cadre to remain prepared to ensure a thumping majority for the party in the mid-term polls.

He accused the Narendra Modi-led government of allowing the release of separatist leaders like Masarat Alam who hoisted Pakistan flag and raised anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans during a rally in Srinagar.

“Bhagwat Gita says that whatever has happened has happened for good... you people have to ensure a thumping majority for Congress in the Assembly polls which we feel will be held within one or one-and-a-half year,” former J&K Minister Sham Lal Sharma said during a day-long convention of the party in Jammu on Friday.

He accused BJP of exploiting the religious sentiments of people.

“BJP sold Lord Rama for the sake of power, they exploited the religious sentiments of the people of the country and the state. Even Ravana succeeded in kidnapping Sita by means of deceit and they have taken power by means of deceit,” Mr. Sharma said.

He said that the Congress-NC alliance had kept separatist leader Masarat Alam behind the bars during its tenure.

“When we were in power we kept Masarat Alam behind the bars for more than four years. While both the coalition partners are guilty, but BJP is guiltier for deceiving not only the people of the state but of the country,” he said.

“Soon after being sworn in as the chief minister, when Mufti Mohammed Sayeed thanked Pakistan for allowing elections in the state why the Deputy Chief Minister did not objected?” he asked.

Mr. Sharma said that when his party was part of the previous ruling coalition it raised the issues of the people of Jammu region.

“Even when we were in alliance with PDP we made sure that Jammu gets its due share and even during our tenure with NC we even asked Omar Abdullah to leave the chair, we did everything possible for Jammu region and also took along all the other regions of the state,” Mr. Sharma said.

Mr. Sharma also said that while much was being said about the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits, nothing was being done for the migrants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and West Pakistan.

“They remember only Kashmiri Pandits. We are not against them but what about the rehabilitation of the people who became refugees post 1947,” he said.

Mr. Sharma also asked the people of Jammu to be prepared for launching an agitation for getting an AIIMS for Jammu region.

“We have to come on roads, for AIIMS, for refugees, for border residents and for permanent settlement of the farmers who suffered crop damage,” he said.

Keywords: J&K politice, Masrat Alam release, BJP-PDP coalition government, coalition dharma, Congress reaction