Congress slams BJP for undermining democracy

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 17: Lambasting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for deceitful tactics to weaken democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Congress Committee, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma on Friday accused the Saffron Party of creating “chaos and mess” in the Union Territory over the past year.
Sharma said that instead of allowing democratic institutions to flourish, the BJP has brazenly created hurdles in the functioning of the democratically elected government by blocking approval of the business rules.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are passing through the most difficult and uncertain phase in recent history due to the BJP’s misrule and misdeeds,” he asserted.
The JKPCC spokesperson alleged that the BJP, despite being in power both at the Centre and in the Union Territory, has failed miserably on all fronts — governance, employment generation, peace, and development.
Referring to the Government’s recent decision to restore the age-old Darbar Move practice, Sharma reminded that the Congress had already promised this step in its 2024 Assembly election manifesto. “Despite the deceitful tactics of the BJP, the coalition government is committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people,” he added.
Launching a blistering critique of the BJP-led administration, Sharma accused it of gross negligence towards vital economic sectors, particularly tourism, which he said has suffered due to poor planning and indifference.
Reiterating the Congress’s long-standing demand for immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said the BJP has betrayed the people by repeatedly going back on its assurances.
He emphasized that statehood is not a political demand but a constitutional right, and its denial has disempowered the people, weakened democratic institutions, and concentrated power in the hands of an unaccountable bureaucracy. “Decisions are delayed, governance is paralyzed, and the voice of the common man is being suppressed,” Sharma said.
Continuing his attack, the Congress spokesperson accused the BJP of “mastering the art of propaganda” to divert public attention from its failures.