SRINAGAR — The Congress party released its manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, promising to bring back full statehood to the region if elected. However, it did not mention anything about restoring Article 370.
The manifesto emphasised the Congress party’s responsibility to oppose “divisive forces,” and expressed willingness to work with other similar-minded parties.
While the manifesto neither supported nor opposed the removal of Article 370, it did promise to reintroduce the Legislative Council, which was removed after Article 370 was revoked. The Congress also committed to holding Panchayat and Urban elections as per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments.
The party also promised inclusive and accountable governance and to reinstate the practice of shifting key government offices between Srinagar and Jammu every six months.
For government jobs, the Congress pledged to prioritise citizens of Jammu and Kashmir with proper residency status.
If elected, the party plans to present a white paper on corruption and set up a Lokayukta within its first 100 days in office. The Congress also promised to give more power to MLAs to better represent their constituencies.
They vowed not to evict poor people and farmers from land they have continuously occupied.
Congress said it would also fully enforce the Public Services Guarantee Act and offer all rights to displaced persons from West Pakistan who came to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, 1965, and 1971. They also promised to regularise settlements of displaced persons and refugees.
Under the Mahila Samman Scheme, Congress promised to give Rs 3,000 per month to women heads of households in the Economically Weaker Sections. They also pledged an unemployment allowance of up to Rs 3,500 per month for qualified youth for one year.
The party said it would fill 1 lakh vacant government jobs and release a job schedule within 30 days.
Congress also promised to provide health insurance of Rs 25 lakh covering treatments, diagnostics, and medicines.
The article first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse at https://kashmirpulse.com/politics/congress-manifesto-pledges-statehood-for-jk-omits-stance-on-article-370/117436.html
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