Congress Criticizes BJP's Manifesto for J&K Assembly Polls as 'Misleading'

The Congress on Friday criticised the BJP's manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, labelling it a "jumla patra" and accusing the party of making false promises to various sections of society. The Congress alleged that during the BJP's tenure, people faced heavy taxes, smart meters, unprecedented unemployment, and record inflation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto on Friday, offering 25 guarantees. These include issuing a white paper on terrorism victims and restoring 100 "ruined temples" in Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the manifesto at a press conference during his two-day visit to launch the party's election campaign.

BJP's Promises and Congress' Criticism

The BJP's manifesto also mentioned the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrant pundits and the creation of five lakh jobs. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) pointed out that despite being in power since 2014 and directly governing through the governor and lieutenant governor since 2018, none of these initiatives were previously considered by the BJP.

A Congress spokesman stated, "Instead, the public was subjected to heavy taxes, hikes in fees and duties, and increased prices of essential commodities. Numerous recruitment scams occurred, leaving the unemployed facing severe hardship." The party highlighted the struggles of daily wagers, need-based workers, and other employees who have been protesting on the streets.

Unfulfilled Promises and Statehood Concerns

The Congress dismissed the BJP's new pledges as empty promises similar to those made during the 2014 elections. They argued that these promises would remain unfulfilled if the BJP returns to power. The party also criticised the BJP for its silence on restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, five years after its status was downgraded.

The Congress claimed that this downgrade was done arbitrarily and against the will of the people, particularly affecting the Dogras. They demanded that the BJP clarify its achievements since creating the Union Territory.

"These issues, previously blamed on NC-Congress governments, are now being used by the BJP to gain sympathy," said a Congress spokesman. The party accused the BJP of using these issues to garner support while failing to address them during their rule.

The Congress reiterated that people were burdened under heavy taxes, smart meters, unprecedented unemployment, and record inflation during the BJP's tenure. They emphasised that these conditions have worsened under BJP governance.

In conclusion, while the BJP has laid out an ambitious manifesto with several guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress remains sceptical about their implementation. They argue that past promises have not been fulfilled and question whether new pledges will meet a similar fate.