Congress Vows to Restore Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood Ahead of Vital Assembly Polls

Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari pledged to restore the region's statehood. The BJP's 2019 abrogation of Article 370 faced criticism for its impact on the local population. The Congress's charge sheet accuses the BJP of misgovernance and suppression of local voices.

In a bold assertion ahead of the pivotal Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari on Thursday announced his party's commitment to reinstating the region's statehood if they come to power. 'Our leader has promised as soon as we get the opportunity, we will bring back the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, and the National Conference is with us in this,' said Tiwari.

He criticized the BJP-led central government's strategy, describing it as 'shocking' and 'short-sighted' for downgrading a sensitive border state to the status of a Union Territory. In August 2019, the Government of India repealed Article 370, dismantling Jammu and Kashmir's special status and reorganizing it into two Union Territories.

On Wednesday, the Congress released a document titled 'Kya khoya, kya paya Jammu and Kashmir charge sheet sab kuch khoya, kuch nahi paya,' alleging BJP's betrayal over various issues, including unemployment and statehood. The document criticized the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and pointed out the region's high unemployment rate, among other grievances.

In response, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh accused Congress of historically destabilizing the region and colluding with cross-border forces to spread violence and obstruct development. Chugh further claimed that Congress had undermined the progress of the Kashmiri Pandits and youth employment opportunities through a calculated design to support divisive forces.

The upcoming assembly elections will witness 219 candidates vying for positions, with voting phases scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1, marking the first state assembly election since the abrogation of Article 370. Vote counting will occur on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)