Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing a massive rally in Anantnag, launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the BJP is rattled by the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance.
He said the BJP is changing its list of candidates repeatedly in Jammu & Kashmir, indicating their fear of the united INDIA alliance.
After the rally, Kharge also addressed a press conference in Srinagar, continuing his criticism of the BJP and its governance in Jammu & Kashmir under Governor’s Rule. Kharge cited former Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, stating that Malik, appointed by the BJP, had accused several people of corruption involving hundreds of crores.
However, instead of investigating these allegations, government agencies, under dictatorial orders, are raiding Malik’s residence.
Kharge further accused the BJP of trying to divide the people of Jammu & Kashmir along religious lines but assured the crowd that these tactics would never succeed. He pointed out that it was Congress that introduced the Food Security Bill, which provided 11 kilograms of rice per person in the region.
“Now, people are getting only five kilograms, showing who truly cares for the poor,” Kharge said, highlighting the difference between Congress and the BJP.
He criticized the lack of development in the region, mentioning a decade-old market project in Anantnag that remains incomplete under the Modi government. “Unemployment, inflation, electricity, and water shortages continue to plague Jammu & Kashmir,” he said, accusing the central government of neglect.
On the issue of terrorism, Kharge lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “Terrorist attacks are happening all over Jammu & Kashmir, yet PM Modi doesn’t shy away from lying. He promised ₹15 lakhs, two crore jobs every year, and bringing back black money. But none of these promises were fulfilled.”
Kharge reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood and reviving the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. He pledged to work towards the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and listed several promises, including a ₹3,000 monthly allowance for women heads of families, filling one lakh vacant government posts, providing 11 kilograms of rice per person, and ₹25 lakh health insurance for families.
Prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, J&K Congress in-charge Bharat Solanki, and state Congress President Hamid Karra, were present at the rally.
