As violent clashes erupt in Jammu & Kashmir, Congress attacks BJP, sees midterm poll in state
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: As violent protests erupted in Kashmir over the arrest of separatist leader Masarat Alam and the killing of two youths by security forces on Friday, the Congress attacked the BJP for “allowing” the release of separatist leaders like Alam.
It also claimed that the state will witness midterm election within a year.
In Jammu, senior state Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma asked the cadre to remain prepared to ensure a thumping majority for the party in the midterm election.
He accused the Narendra Modi-led government of “allowing” the release of separatist leaders like Masarat Alam who hoisted Pakistan flag and raised anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans during a rally in Srinagar on Wednesday.
Sharma,who is a former J&K minister said, “Bhagwat Gita says that whatever has happened has happened for good … you people have to ensure a thumping majority for Congress in the Assembly polls which we feel will be held within one or one and a half year.”
He also accused BJP of exploiting the religious sentiments of people.
“BJP sold Lord Ram for the sake of power, they exploited the religious sentiments of the people of the country and the state. Even Ravana succeeded in kidnapping Sita by means of deceit and they have taken power by means of deceit,” Sharma said.
He said that the Congress-National Conference alliance had kept separatist leader Masarat Alam behind the bars during its tenure.
“When we were in power we kept Masarat Alam behind the bars for more than four years. While both the coalition partners are guilty, but BJP is guiltier for deceiving not only the people of the state but of the country,” he said.
“Soon after being sworn in as the chief minister, when Mufti Mohammed Sayeed thanked Pakistan for allowing elections in the state why the deputy chief minister did not objected?” he asked.
Sharma said that when his party was part of the previous ruling coalition it raised the issues of the people of Jammu region.
“Even when we were in alliance with PDP we made sure that Jammu gets its due share and even during our tenure with NC we even asked Omar Abdullah to leave the chair, we did everything possible for Jammu region and also took along all the other regions of the state,” Sharma said.
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