RAJOURI, Sept 19: Cautioning BJP against its divisive agenda, senior AICC leader and former Union Minister, Sachin Pilot today said that BJP never wanted to hold Assembly elections in the Jammu and Kashmir as it wanted to control J&K UT through its ‘proxy rule’.
“The Assembly elections in the Jammu and Kashmir are being held on the directions of the Supreme Court. BJP was in no mood to hold polls here. It wanted to carry on with its ‘proxy rule’ through Lt Governor in the JKUT,” Pilot said while talking to the media-persons on the sidelines of an election rally at Rajouri today.
“The issue of restoration of the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir is connected with the dignity and self-respect of its people. BJP violated the emotions of the people of the Union Territory by abrogating Article 370,” AICC leader said while responding to another question.
Pilot said INDIA bloc performed well in the Lok Sabha elections. There has been a change on the ground. The BJP snatched the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir without any reason.“We have mentioned in our manifesto to restore the Statehood as it is connected with the dignity and self-respect of people,” Pilot said.
“BJP has violated the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said referring to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
He further alleged that the BJP is fighting the elections through its proxies since it was unable to contest them on its own. He cautioned the people against its divisive agenda and alleged that it has damaged secular fabric in the country.
He also recalled that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had accepted the message of love through the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi.
“The Government had asked Rahul Gandhi to suspend his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir due to security reasons. Still, he culminated the Yatra in Srinagar. A ray of hope had been rekindled in the people here. He gave a message of love through the Yatra which was accepted by the people,” Pilot added.
Addressing large election rally in favour of alliance candidate Iftikhar Ahmed Pilot said the wave of change is blowing in favour of Congress and NC alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. The election results will certainly be in our favour. Both the parties will fame a popular alliance Government after October 8.
Pilot pointed out that the BJP has no significant presence in the Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir valley.
Pilot criticized the BJP’s track record, stating that their true intentions were exposed within 100 days of forming the Government at the Centre. He claimed that the Congress party has forced the BJP to roll back several unconstitutional decisions, including lateral entry, following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
AICC leader reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to granting full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a long-standing demand of its people. He assured that the party will work tirelessly to restore the dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and will not let the BJP’s flawed policies undermine J&K’s progress.
He said the BJP is clearly on the backfoot in both poll-bound states of the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana elections. The people have seen through their divisive politics, and they are losing ground.
“The decision by the Union Government to push, for ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a blatant attempt to centralize power and undermine the democratic processes at the State level. It is undemocratic and goes against the federal structure of the country, and we strongly oppose it,” he added.
While pointing towards the heavy voting in the first phase of Assembly elections in J&K, Pilot commended the Supreme Court of India for its instrumental role in ensuring the conduct of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pilot credited the court’s landmark verdict for compelling the BJP-led Government to hold elections in the region, which has been without a popular Government for a decade.
“The Supreme Court’s intervention has paved the way for democracy to prevail in Jammu and Kashmir,” Pilot said.
Congres leader lauded the impressive voter turnout in the first phase of elections, citing it as a clear indication that the people of Jammu and Kashmir crave change. “The bumper voting numbers demonstrate the public’s eagerness for a new direction, one that prioritizes development, peace, and prosperity,” he said.
Highlighting the role of the Leader of the Opposition in forcing the BJP-led NDA Government to roll back unconstitutional decisions, he said, “Rahul Gandhi has now emerged as a formidable leader on the national stage”.
“I demand an unconditional apology from the BJP for the highly provocative and offensive statements made by some of its leaders against Rahul Gandhi. Such rhetoric has no place in a democracy”, Pilot said.
While cautioning people against BJP’s divisive agenda, he regretted that in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is desperately trying to polarize voters by creating ethnic divisions, particularly between Paharis and Gujjars. “This is a dangerous game that can have long-lasting consequences for the unity and peace of the region. The BJP must be held accountable for these tactics”, he added.
