Congress Initiates Mass Contact Programme to Strengthen Grassroots Organisation in Jammu and Kashmir

The Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir plans to revitalise its grassroots presence through extensive outreach programmes across all assembly constituencies throughout the year, as announced on Sunday. This decision emerged from a day-long meeting attended by senior leaders, including AICC Incharge JK Affairs Bharatsinh Solanki, JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, and AICC General Secretary G A Mir.

During the meeting, discussions focused on last year's assembly elections, organisational matters, and strategies to strengthen and rejuvenate the party. The National Conference-Congress alliance won the elections, but Congress only secured six seats out of 32 contested. Five were in Kashmir and one in Jammu.

Focus on Organisational Strengthening

Solanki highlighted that 2025 is designated as the "year of the organisation" for Congress. The emphasis will be on rebuilding the party structure at all levels and addressing shortcomings up to booth levels. He urged leaders to focus on restructuring and revamping the party for future elections.

Solanki praised Karra for engaging with grassroots cadres post-election to gather feedback and suggestions for strengthening the party. "The party could not perform as per expectations but together in alliance with National Conference, we could checkmate BJPs attempts to create a hung assembly and come to power by divisions and manipulations," he said.

Challenges and Future Plans

Karra acknowledged the challenges facing the party and emphasised strengthening the organisation at all levels. He highlighted Congress's contributions to Jammu and Kashmir during the UPA government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, including support in power, railway, road connectivity, job creation, health, education, skill development, and relief programmes.

Karra also mentioned that many major projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were initiated by the UPA government but have not progressed at the same pace under BJP leadership. He called for restoring statehood and urged cadres to prepare for struggle.

Congress's Role in Jammu and Kashmir

Solanki stated that keeping BJP out of power was a victory for their mission due to its ideology being a threat to India's unity in diversity. He noted Congress's vital role in Jammu and Kashmir because of its secular ideology.

Mir asserted that Congress has a rich history, legacy, and strong ideology suitable for India's diverse nation. He encouraged cadres to prepare for a "bigger fight to achieve the larger goal ahead."