New Delhi, August 5: On Monday, the Congress party reiterated its demand for elections in Jammu and Kashmir to be conducted within the Supreme Court-set deadline. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP’s approach to the region, alleging that it fails to respect ‘Kashmiriyat’ and does not uphold ‘Jamhuriyat’ (democracy).
Kharge’s statements were made on the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a post on social media platform X, Kharge asserted, “The BJP’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’.” He underscored that the Congress is committed to ensuring that elections in the region are held as mandated by the Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of restoring democratic processes and addressing the concerns of the people in the region.
The Congress’s call for timely elections reflects ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the political and administrative changes implemented in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The party’s stance is aimed at advocating for the democratic rights and representation of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir amid evolving political dynamics.