SRINAGAR: The Congress high command on Tuesday directed its party leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to gear up for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Simultaneously, it conveyed that the party has not engaged in discussions with INDIA alliance partners on seat-sharing for the general elections in the Union Territory.
During a meeting in New Delhi, the Congress high command urged J&K leaders to work diligently to secure a victory for the party in the Lok Sabha polls anticipated in April-May 2024.
“The party leadership instructed us to toil hard and visit constituencies to ensure the party’s success in the upcoming polls,” stated a senior party leader who attended the meeting.
The meeting, chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party in-charge for J&K Bharat Singh Solanki, and others, focused on the party’s preparations for the five Lok Sabha seats in J&K.
“The high command received feedback from J&K leaders regarding the party’s position in J&K. Leaders individually briefed them about the party’s strengths and weaknesses in the five Lok Sabha constituencies,” they said.
Kharge conveyed that there have been no discussions yet with INDIA alliance partners on seat-sharing in J&K. Both National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are part of the INDIA alliance and the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a conglomerate of J&K parties seeking the restoration of J&K’s special status.
Meanwhile, JKPCC president Vikar Rasool Wani stated that the meeting, lasting nearly 3-4 hours, discussed various issues regarding the Lok Sabha polls.
“We provided suggestions regarding the alliance and seats. The elections will be fought jointly by the opposition parties,” Wani said, adding that the final decision on seat-sharing in J&K will be made by the INDIA bloc itself.
In a detailed social media post, Kharge mentioned a comprehensive discussion with Congress leaders from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regarding the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed deep concern about the rise in terror attacks in Pir Panjal and targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits in recent years.
Kharge emphasised the need for full statehood to be restored to Jammu and Kashmir, with Ladakh becoming a state at the earliest. He also highlighted the united demand from the people of Ladakh for safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“People of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh want change and want their voices to be heard, and they conveyed the same to us by the strong support they gave to Shri @RahulGandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” Kharge added.
He concluded by stating that the Congress party and allies of the INDIA bloc are strongly committed to the welfare, development, and empowerment of J&K and Ladakh.
In addition to Viqar, the meeting was attended by working president Raman Bhalla, senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former deputy CM Tara Chand, former MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga, former minister Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, and several other leaders. (KNO)
