Working President of the Pradesh Congress Committee, Raman Bhalla, today launched a massive signature campaign across various areas of Jammu to protest against vote rigging and to press for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing party workers and citizens during the campaign, Bhalla delivered a strong criticism of the BJP and the Central Government, accusing them of depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their democratic and constitutional rights. He said that the continued denial of statehood was not an administrative necessity but a politically motivated move aimed at consolidating power. According to him, this decision has caused deep frustration among the people, who feel alienated and ignored by the government in Delhi.
Bhalla said, “The BJP has so far denied full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and this is a grave injustice to our people. The move was driven by political gain rather than the welfare of citizens. It has left our people deprived, neglected, and voiceless.”
He further took strong exception to the Central Government’s handling of recent floods and natural disasters, pointing out that relief and rescue operations failed to reach several affected areas on time. Bhalla said that people in many regions were forced to fend for themselves due to delayed government response, and the absence of immediate relief only deepened their suffering. He urged the government to learn from these failures and to put in place a robust system that ensures timely assistance during emergencies.
The Congress leader also questioned the performance of the 28 BJP MLAs elected from Jammu last year, challenging them to explain what substantial work they have done for Jammu’s development or for addressing the genuine problems of the people. “A year has passed, yet the public has not been informed about any meaningful progress made by these MLAs. People deserve accountability and answers,” Bhalla said.
He reaffirmed that the Congress Party’s struggle for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will continue without pause. Bhalla said that the party would continue to mount pressure on the Central Government until the people of Jammu and Kashmir regain the right to an elected government that can make independent decisions in their best interest.
The campaign saw active participation from Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Satish Sharma, Block President Sanjeev Katal, senior leader Sardar Rajender Singh block president gummi, Ip Singh Babu singh and many other Congress workers and local leaders. They interacted with citizens, encouraged them to sign the petition, and urged them to raise their voices against what they described as the BJP’s anti-people policies.
The signature campaign was conducted across several major localities, including Sanjay Nagar under the leadership of former Councillor Dwarka Choudhary, Darp Panchayat led by Sarpanch Kashmir Singh, Gandhi Nagar led by Satpal Supolia, Simble Camp led by Rajendra Singh Nathu, and Model Town under the supervision of former Councillor Inderjit Kaur. At each of these venues, large numbers of people came forward to sign the petition, expressing their frustration over vote rigging and demanding the immediate restoration of statehood.
Bhalla emphasized that the Congress Party has always stood firmly for the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the party would continue to highlight people’s issues and, if necessary, launch broader campaigns to ensure their voices are heard. He warned that if the Central and State administrations fail to address public grievances and provide timely relief to citizens, the Congress Party will intensify its movement both socially and politically.
In his concluding appeal, Bhalla urged all citizens to participate actively in the signature campaign and to stand united for the restoration of democracy and statehood. He said that the time has come for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to demand transparency, accountability, and justice from the BJP government and its representatives, and to take collective action for the future of their region.