Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 18: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Tariq Hameed Karra, today said that all options are open for the party ahead of the upcoming bypolls in Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies.
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Speaking to reporters after the resumption of the chain hunger strike under the ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ campaign at the party headquarters here, Karra said he has submitted a report to the party high command, which is currently reviewing it.
“I have submitted my report to the leadership; they are examining it. I mean, all the options are open for us,” he said while responding to a question on whether the Congress would field its candidates from both constituencies.
Karra acknowledged that the National Conference (NC) has offered the Nagrota seat to the Congress but added that a final decision would be taken by the party leadership.
“Of course, they (NC) have said it, but we have put the matter before the central high command and are waiting for their response,” he said.
When asked whether the Chief Minister’s recent statement on smart meters would pose a problem for the Congress, Karra said it was for the NC to explain.
“NC has to explain what they said before and what they are saying now,” he remarked.
Referring to the alleged backtracking by the NC on an assured ‘safe seat’ for the Rajya Sabha elections, Karra said, “It was something the leadership did not expect – that the request would be withdrawn. It was natural for us to call it betrayal.”
Karra accused the BJP of attempting to divide the country, asserting that the Congress would not allow that to happen.
“The BJP wants the country in pieces, but Congress will not let that happen. We will continue our struggle for the restoration of Statehood – and the rights promised by the Constitution,” he said.
The ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ campaign, which had been launched earlier, was suspended due to the flood-like situation across J&K.
“First, Pahalgam happened, then there was a war-like situation, and later the weather deteriorated. The programme was suspended, and now we are resuming it until all districts in Kashmir are covered,” Karra said.
On the occasion, the District Congress Committee Baramulla observed a hunger strike at the party headquarters and reiterated the party’s demand for the restoration of Statehood to J&K.
Karra, along with legislators and senior Congress leaders, including former Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din, joined the hunger strike and vowed to continue fighting for the restoration of Statehood.
Karra said that the campaign will continue until the Centre restores the dignity and honour of the erstwhile princely State of J&K.
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