Congress Leader Randeep Surjewala Criticizes BJP Over Alliance Questions in Jammu and Kashmir Elections
Kaithal (Haryana) [India], August 25: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hypocrisy for questioning his party’s pre-poll alliance with the National Conference (NC) for the upcoming Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that the BJP had previously allied with the NC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Surjewala stated, “Have we ever asked the BJP whom they will ally with? Then why is the BJP questioning us? Had the BJP not allied with the National Conference or PDP in the past? They did. When you have done this before, why are you questioning us about our alliance?”
He also mentioned that the biggest challenge in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is the restoration of democracy and criticized the BJP-led Central government for the increasing incidents of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks in the region.
Earlier, BJP leader Amit Shah accused the Congress of risking the nation’s unity and security to satisfy its greed for power. Shah questioned if the Congress supports the NC’s promises of a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir and the restoration of Article 370 and 35A, which he claimed would push the region back into an era of unrest and terrorism.
The pre-poll alliance was announced after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge met NC chief Farooq Abdullah. Farooq Abdullah stated that the Congress-NC would contest all 90 seats in the assembly polls. The formal announcement was made in Srinagar, with Farooq Abdullah expressing hope for a better future for the people.
The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with results announced on October 4. This is the first assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
Doubts Revealed
Congress -: The Congress is one of the major political parties in India. It was founded in 1885 and has played a significant role in India’s history.
Randeep Surjewala -: Randeep Surjewala is a senior leader and spokesperson of the Congress party in India.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is another major political party in India and is currently in power at the central government.
Alliance -: An alliance is when two or more political parties come together to contest elections or govern together.
National Conference (NC) -: The National Conference is a political party in Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded by Sheikh Abdullah and has been a major player in the region’s politics.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It has special political and historical significance.
Assembly elections -: Assembly elections are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assembly of a state or region in India.
PDP -: PDP stands for People’s Democratic Party. It is another political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a senior leader of the BJP and the current Home Minister of India.
National unity -: National unity means the sense of togetherness and solidarity among the people of a country.
Abrogation of Article 370 -: Article 370 was a special provision in the Indian Constitution that gave special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. It was removed in August 2019.