The Kashmir Pulse

LEH — If nothing unusual happens, Ladakh Lok Sabha is likely to be won by the Independent candidate from Kargil Hanifa Jan, this is what political observers feel keeping the ground perception in account.

According to political observers and politically conscious citizens, Congress is nowhere in the picture and there is a direct contest between the Kargil-sponsored candidate and the BJP candidate from Leh.

The Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is going for polls on May 20. The contest is between Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, leader of the opposition in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the BJP’s Tashi Gyalson and independent candidate Hanifa Jan who was the former president of the National Conference.

Today, a mega rally was addressed by Kargil-based candidate Hanifa Jan in Kargil Bazar in which thousands of people participated. Due to the rally, Kargil town witnessed a massive traffic jam.

Former Minister and present Councillor Feroz Ahmed Khan told the news agency KNT that there is the least possibility of vote division in Kargil. “In Leh, there is a contest between BJP and Congress candidates, and the votes will get divided there but that will not be the case in Kargil. There is every possibility that Hanifa Jan backed by different political, socio-religious parties will make it up to the parliament,” he said.

A former MLA from Congress, wishing not to be named, also said that a Kargil-based candidate will emerge victorious in the election. He confirmed that Hanifa Jan has full backing from the Congress Kargil Unit. The Islamia School, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, and other religious organizations of Kargil have also extended support to Hanifa Jan.

Kargil region has 7,049 more voters than the Leh district; Leh district has 88,877 voters and Kargil 95,926.

Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorje Lakrook also claimed that Hanifa Jan has a strong chance of winning the seat.

SRINAGAR — In a significant political development, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah affirmed on Thursday the readiness of the National Conference (NC) and Congress to jointly contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This alliance, aimed at consolidating electoral prospects, signifies a cohesive approach between the two parties.

Addressing media representatives during a youth conference in Nawa-e-Subh Srinagar, Omar Abdullah highlighted the collaborative effort between NC and Congress, with both parties nominating candidates across various constituencies. While Congress has put forth candidates for two seats in the Jammu division, NC plans to field candidates for three seats in the Kashmir region.

Further emphasizing unity, Omar Abdullah disclosed plans for joint nominations across all constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring a concerted effort towards electoral success.

Meanwhile, the electoral battleground for the Jammu parliamentary seat is witnessing a surge in activity, with 17 candidates vying for the position as the nomination deadline ends. The diverse field includes candidates from political parties like the BJP, Congress, and Jammu Kashmir People's Conference, as well as independent contenders, reflecting the complexity of the electoral battle.

Amidst this backdrop, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah rallied support for the Congress party during his campaign visit to Katra. Advocating for unity to safeguard the Constitution of India, Farooq Abdullah urged collective action against divisive forces, particularly criticizing the BJP's alleged attempts to dismantle constitutional principles.

"The BJP's agenda threatens the very essence of our Constitution. We must stand together to defend the values enshrined in it," Farooq Abdullah asserted, calling for a united front to confront such challenges.

As the political battle unfolds in the Kashmir Valley, Farooq Abdullah expressed confidence in the National Conference's prospects in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, amidst differing stances with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) regarding seat-sharing arrangements.

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for May 11, are poised to witness intense political manoeuvring as parties strive to secure electoral victory amidst a backdrop of shifting alliances and strategic alliances.

JAMMU — Amid the support of thousands of Congress workers, Congress candidate Raman Bhalla, filed his nomination for Jammu-Reasi Lok Sabha seat.

Accompanied by scores of jubilant supporters, Bhalla reached the office of Returning Officer, Sachin Kumar Vaishya and filed his papers in presence of National Conference patron and member of INDI Bloc, Dr Farooq Abdullah, All India Congress Committee In-charge J&K Affairs Bharat Singh Solanki, J&K Congress President Vikar Rasool Wani along with several senior leaders of JKPCC.

As per the news agency KNO, Congress supporters started assembling near Maharaja Hari Singh Park in the morning and then took the shape of a procession towards Shaheedi Chowk to the DC office.

Later, on the way back, while addressing a large gathering at Shaheedi Chowk, Solanki appealed to the people to vote for change and uproot the dictatorial regime of BJP.

He said the people’s participation in large numbers shows the mood of the people and claimed that both Lok Sabha seats of Jammu and Udhampur will be pocketed by the Congress party with a thumping majority.

"The people have made up their mind to bring about change at the Centre and the Modi government will go after the elections and the INDIA block will form the government," he added.

Congress candidate Raman Bhalla thanked the people for the huge participation in the rally today from all parts and appealed to throw the 'arrogant' regime out of power for the large interest of the poor and common man.

“People of Jammu have suffered a lot and will teach BJP MP and its leaders a lesson through ballot, in this election. He said that Congress would come back to solve the problems of the common man who is under huge economic distress and facing a lot of hardships due to 'tax terrorism' and price rise, record unemployment and lopsided development” he said.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jugal Kishore Sharma filed his nomination papers. Sharma is seeking re-election from this constituency for the third consecutive term. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from this constituency in 2014 and 2019. The constituency goes to vote on April 26 in the second phase.

Jugal is in the fray to reclaim this seat, straight for the third time. In 2019, he had defeated the Congress candidate Raman Bhalla with a margin of 3,02,875 votes as NC and PDP had not fielded their candidates. In 2014, Jugal had won this seat again, defeating Congress candidate Madan Lal Sharma, with a victory margin of 2.57 lakh votes.

Congress has also repeated its nominee i.e., former minister Raman Bhalla, who is a common candidate of I.N.D.I. Alliance of which both the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are constituents. He will file his nomination paper on April 2.

Following delimitation, the Jammu parliamentary constituency comprises 18 assembly constituencies which include 11 from Jammu; three each from Samba and Reasi district and one from Rajouri’s Kalakote assembly constituency. The total electors are 17.66 lakh.

As per the notification, nomination papers can be filed by candidates or their proposers no later than April 4, 2024. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on April 6, 2024 at 11 am at Deputy Commissioner’s Office Jammu.

The candidates have the option to withdraw their candidature on April 8, 2024 until 3 pm. The polling on April 26 will be conducted from 7 am to 6 pm.

SRINAGAR — Congress on Monday staged strong protest demonstrations against 'tax terrorism' unleashed against the principal opposition (INC) by the IT Department, terming the move politically motivated and fabricated aiming to stop INC from campaigning after the BJP sensed defeat before the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

The leaders and workers raised slogans against 'tax terrorism' by the IT Department against INC and termed it a deliberate move to stop the Congress party from campaigning during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. They also displayed play cards demonstrating their anger against the coercion, and vendetta politics against the opposition, especially Congress and leaders of the INDIA alliance.

They said BJP has sensed defeat before the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. As a result, various agencies, especially ED and IT, have been deputed to threaten and stop the Opposition from campaigning under the garb of 'tax terrorism' and various other undemocratic measures the BJP is adopting out of fear and frustration, but the Congress said it won’t stop and it will continue fighting against BJP’s autocracy and will defeat it (BJP) in the elections.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Congress leaders blamed the BJP for vitiating the political atmosphere in the country for the lust of power, but the Congress is strong enough to defeat the war against democracy, adding that the BJP has deputed agencies to strangulate the strong and genuine voices, but that will not stop its (BJP’s) defeat in the elections.

They further said that freezing accounts and imposing huge taxes won’t deter the Congress party from fighting and campaigning against the BJP’s wrong policies. BJP could not digest the strength and popularity Congress party is enjoying given the people’s love and affection. As a result, it (BJP) is desperate enough while having realized that the day is not far when it (BJP) will be out of power, they said.

JKPCC General Secretaries Waseem Ahmad Shalla, Irfan Naqashbandi, and DCC Srinagar President Imtiyaz Khan led the protest while other senior leaders including frontal organizations also participated.

Later, JKPCC Senior Vice President Mohammad Anwar Bhat also joined the protest and briefed the media about the BJP’s coercion, diversionary tactics and vendetta politics unleashed against the opposition.

JAMMU — Former Minister and President of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Choudhary Lal Singh on Wednesday joined the Congress party at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi and is all set to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency.

He was welcomed in the party by AICC Chief Spokesman Pawan Khera, AICC General Secretary and J&K Incharge Bharatsin Soalnki, PCC President Vikar Rasool Wani, co-incharge J&K Manoj Yadav, NSUI national president Neeraj Kundan and others.

After joining the Congress party, Choudhary Lal Singh asked the party leaders and workers to unite to win these elections. “Whenever I have contested any elections, my party has formed the government. I don’t know how but I think it comes straight away from the heavens,” he said while addressing the media after the joining, as per the news agency KNO.

“In 2002, our party formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir when I had won the Assembly elections. After that, when BJP gave the slogan of Shining India in 2004, I won Lok Sabha elections and the Congress party formed the government at the Centre. Everybody should keep this in mind and in advance, we all should be united,” Singh said, in his own style.

Lal Singh said that fighting elections in Jammu and Kashmir is a tough job and he knows it very well. “I have faced three deadly attacks but escaped unhurt. I know how tough it is to fight elections in J&K and you all should respect us,” he added.

He expressed his displeasure on changing his candidature during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when the party had given the mandate to Ghulam Nabi Azad (who lost to Dr Jitendra Singh of BJP). “You all were witness to that and even cried,” he added.

Preferring Azad over Singh during the 2014 elections became the reason for him to leave the grand-old party and he jumped ship and joined BJP. He successfully contested the 2014 Assembly elections in J&K and became the minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government.

Thanking the Congress party, Lal Singh said that the future belongs to young people and that all the old people will die. “Rahul Gandhi is young and he will surely become the Prime Minister of the country. Whenever I see these young people around (pointing towards Neeraj Kundan and Shanawaz Choudhary), I tell them you are the future,” he added.

Welcoming him into the party fold, PCC President Vikar Rasool Wani said that Choudhary Lal Singh has always worked for the downtrodden and poor people and has emerged as a strong leader. “His joining is a welcome step and we welcome him,” he added.

The two-time Member Parliament (MP) from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, Singh’s joining Congress party will give a huge boost to the grand-old party from this seat where Minister of State (MoS) in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh is contesting on BJP’s ticket.

Choudhary Lal Singh’s candidature will make this contest on the Udhampur-Doda seat interesting as Singh has his own base in his home district Kathua and the Congress party enjoys a good reputation in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts of this constituency.

With his entry, there will be a direct contest between Choudhary Lal Singh and Jitendra Singh whereas the Democratic Progress Azad Party’s (DPAP) candidate and former MLA from Inderwal, Ghulam Muhammad Saroori will play a major role as being a native of Kishtwar district, he is expected to get votes from Chenab valley.

Jitendra Singh is also a two-time MP from this seat and is considered a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be facing a strong heat as the contest will be tough.

This seat is all set to go for polls in the first phase on April 19 and the counting of votes will be on June 4.

SRINAGAR — In a significant announcement, National Conference (NC) Vice-President Omar Abdullah declared that his party would not forge an alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This decision comes amidst discussions surrounding seat allocations in the Kashmir region.

Omar Abdullah stated during a press conference that the NC was prepared to surrender the Anantnag-Rajouri seat to the Congress but firmly rejected any possibility of supporting the PDP in the constituency. Citing the PDP's poor performance in the last parliamentary elections, where it secured the third position, Abdullah emphasized that the party lacked substantial support in the region.

"We have already finalized our candidates for all three seats in Kashmir and will extend our support to Congress on both Jammu seats as well as the Ladakh seat. I am ready with my candidates and will announce them at our convenience," Abdullah asserted.

Meanwhile, responding to Omar Abdullah's stance, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti expressed disappointment, suggesting that NC's decision undermined the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). She affirmed her determination to consult with Congress, a crucial member of the INDIA bloc, before reaching a decision.

"I am a fighter. We will talk to Congress in this regard and will make our decision public soon," Mehbooba Mufti stated during a press conference in Srinagar.

SRINAGAR — As tensions rise between the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) over seat sharing in the upcoming elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intervened to facilitate dialogue between the two long-standing rivals in Jammu and Kashmir's political arena.

Sources told the news agency KNO that the NC remains firm on retaining all seats it won in the previous LS polls, including the contentious Anantnag constituency, while the PDP seeks to contest from its former stronghold in South Kashmir.

Despite the PDP's willingness to support the NC in other constituencies, the deadlock persists over Anantnag.

Concerns mount within the India alliance as the NC and PDP struggle to find common ground, prompting calls for intervention from outside parties. Rahul Gandhi, informed of the impasse, has been urged to mediate between the two factions.

It was informed further that Rahul Gandhi may speak with both Omar and Mehbooba to end the impasse and finalize the candidates between the two parties for coming LS polls.

Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, a leader of the CPI-M, emphasizes the urgent need for reconciliation, urging both parties to prioritize the welfare of the people over internal disputes.

“It is imperative for these parties to set aside differences and work together for the greater good of Jammu and Kashmir,” Tarigami said, urging direct dialogue instead of public posturing.

SRINAGAR — National Conference President and Member of Parliament, Farooq Abdullah stated that they would contest the upcoming elections as part of the INDIA alliance and are in talks with Congress for seat sharing.

He said that there is a need to strengthen the alliance to safeguard the nation. "Discussions with Congress are ongoing, and a decision on seat sharing will be announced soon," he said.

Abdullah acknowledged the necessity of a coalition with Congress to bolster the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. He addressed concerns about former NC members joining the BJP, stating that it's a regular part of elections and won't impact the National Conference.

Responding to BJP's claim of NC losing all three Parliament seats, Abdullah said it's for the people to decide.

He expressed the desire for early Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning the delay despite Parliamentary elections being conducted.

SRINAGAR — Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that judging the results of the INDIA bloc, if the situation continues to be like this in future, the opposition alliance will not be able to win. He was replying to questions related to the results of four state assembly elections in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

"Judging the results of INDIA alliance in the state elections, if the situation is like this in the future, we cannot win," Omar Abdullah said as per the news agency KNS while speaking to reporters.

Speaking on the performance of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Abdullah said that the Congress should have given some seats to its INDIA bloc partner, Samajwadi Party to contest.

"Either the Congress has not been able to understand the ground situation in Madhya Pradesh. What harm could have happened if they had given 5 to 7 seats to Akhilesh Yadav? What storm could have blown? What have they won now? The results are in front of everyone now," Omar said.

On whether his party will be contesting with the INDIA bloc for the state assembly elections in J&K, Abdullah said, "The NC will be standing on its own. We will fight elections of our own," Omar said.

SRINAGAR — Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on tour to Ladakh Union Territory, is scheduled to address a public rally in Kargil on Friday.

The rally is expected to boost support for the joint alliance of Congress and National Conference in elections for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil. The Gandhi scion arrived in Leh on Thursday last week and has been there since then.

As per the news agency KNO, Rahul Gandhi reached back to Leh from Nubra Valley on Monday and visited the main market during which he was surrounded by a large gathering of locals. He talked to people, street vendors and others there and got many requests for selfies.

Congress party sources said that Gandhi is scheduled to leave for Kargil to meet leadership there. On August 25, he is scheduled to address a public rally alongside the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, they added.

The election campaign for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil is underway and the union territory is expected to witness a direct contest between National Conference-Congress alliance and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). All three parties have announced their candidates.

In Kargil, party sources said that Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with the youth on the evening of August 24.

Haji Hanifa Jan, President of District Unit Kargil said Gandhi’s visit to the region is going to benefit their alliance. "Everyone is very excited and thrilled to hear Rahul Gandhi speak in Kargil. It will definitely help us in the LAHDC elections. We are truly thrilled to have him here. Both INC and NC will gather here to listen to him," he said.

He said that preparations are underway for the elections. “Tomorrow is the last day for nominations. After that, candidates will be visiting their constituencies.”

SRINAGAR — In a major boost to Congress in Jammu & Kashmir, four former legislators and three district development council members joined the party on Monday in New Delhi in the presence of its president Mallikarjun Kharge and other top leaders.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, the party said that 21 leaders, mostly from Democratic Progressive Azad Party and Aam Admi Party, joined the party today in the presence of Kharge, K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary (Org.) AICC and Rajani Patil, Incharge J&K.

Those who joined the party include Yashpal Kundal (ex-minister and two-times MLA); Haji Abdul Rashid Dar (two-times MLA); Naresh K. Gupta (two-times MLC); Sham Lal Bhagat (former MLC); Namrata Sharma (former provincial president, Apni Party); Saima Jan (DDC member); Shahjehan Dar (DDC member); Prof. (Dr.) Farooq Ahmad (Aga) (former Director, SKUAST); Taranjit Singh Toni (DDC member from Suchetgarh); Gazanfar Ali (retired KAS officer); Santosh Majotra (State Secretary, DPAP); Rajni Sharma (Provincial Secretary, DPAP); Nirmal Singh Mehta (Zonal Secretary, DPAP); Madan Lal Chalotra (State Coordinator, Apni Party); Hamit Singh Batti (AAP leader); Ramesh Pandotra (SC leader AAP); Vaid Raj Sharma (AAP leader); Mandeep Chowdhary (Youth vice president, AAP); Nazir Ahmed Auqab, Maheshvar Vishwakarma and Jung Bahadur Sharma (Joint secretary DPAP).

The exits are seen as a major setback to Ghulam Nabi Azad-led DPAP which was formed by him in 2022 to create an alternative to existing regional parties. The desertions have also dealt a severe blow to AAP which was trying to gain a foothold in Jammu.

SRINAGAR — In a major setback to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed his plea seeking a stay on conviction in a case related to the Modi surname. The dismissal of the plea by the high court would mean that the Congress leader will continue to remain disqualified from the Lok Sabha.

According to reports from the news agency KNS, Rahul Gandhi had moved the Gujarat High Court after Surat Court denied to grant a stay on conviction in the Modi surname case.

The high court, however, dismissed the Congress leader’s request to stay his conviction in the case. The court order has come as a major blow to Rahul Gandhi as he will continue to remain disqualified from the Lok Sabha.

The court stated that he is seeking a stay on conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It stated that staying on conviction is not a rule.

As many as 10 cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi. A complaint has been filed against (Gandhi) by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court after Gandhi used terms against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge.

It also said that refusal to stay conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant. “There are no reasonable grounds to stay conviction. The conviction is just, proper and legal,” the court said.

SRINAGAR — As the Congress is headed for a thumping win in Karnataka, National Conference vice-president and former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah took a swipe at the BJP over holding of elections in the Union Territory.

In a tweet, as per the news agency KNO, Omar Abdullah said that BJP won't have the courage to allow assembly elections to take place in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Now there is no way BJP will have the courage to allow assembly elections to take place in J&K any time soon," he tweeted.

The Congress is leading in 138 seats, way ahead of the BJP, which is leading in just 63 seats in Karnataka with the halfway mark being 113 in the 224-member assembly in the southern state.

JAMMU — In a very strange statistic, the grand old party—Congress—which draws its connection with Kashmir, seems to be ignoring its leaders from Jammu and Kashmir as none from the Union Territory figures in the party's top national team. Moreover, in the recent campaigns for Punjab by-polls and Assembly elections in Karnataka, no party leader was included in the Congress list of 80-star campaigners despite having a president, a battery of veterans and former ministers.

“It seems that the party high command is not having much faith in the local leadership of J&K,” a senior J&K Congress leader, pleading anonymity, said, adding, “It was evident during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (held in early January) when a team from Punjab was called in to manage a large portion of the Yatra, while celebrity leaders were invited to provide momentum to the BJY.”

Moreover, as per the party sources, none of the Jammu and Kashmir natives figured in the party's national team, which is the top decision-making body in the organization.

It was the first time in the last six-seven decades when J&K was unrepresented in the national team of Congress. Earlier, stalwarts like Karan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Saif-u-Din Soz, Durga Prasad Dhar, Inder Jit Malhotra and others were part of the Congress national team and decision-making body, but after Ghulam Nabi Azad left the grand old party and parted his ways to constitute now political outfit, no one seems to represent J&K within the party.

“There were posts of 10 general secretaries, 20 PCC in-charges for different states and UTs, around 66 in-charge secretaries and around dozen joint secretaries besides the President but interestingly none of them is native of Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh,” another party leader said.

However, on many occasions, Congress leader and former President Rahul Gandhi said that he and his family belong to Kashmiri Pandit community.

SRINAGAR — District Congress Committee President, Umer Jaan from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has resigned from his post and basic membership of the party.

In his resignation letter, as per the news agency KNO, Umer stated that the Congress has lost relevance in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It's been quite a few years, especially after the abrogation of the special status that the Indian National Congress has lost relevance in the Union Territory because of its obscure stand on Jammu and Kashmir and has failed to put forward its vision and policies regarding the UT,” reads the letter.

It reads that it seemed more interested in raising the issues of Central leadership and ignoring the problems faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I must thank every member of the party who stood by my side in my journey with the Indian National Congress and I wish every member of the party the best in the future and hope they can change the policies for the betterment of the people of India and in particular the people of J&K,” it reads.

SRINAGAR — Days after being disqualified from the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Monday served notice to vacate a government bungalow in New Delhi.

Reports from the news agency KNS said the notice to Rahul Gandhi was served by Lok Sabha Housing Committee today.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi was given a two-year jail by a Gujarat court in a defamation case related to 'Modi' surname.

Day after the court conviction, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament from the Lok Sabha.

SRINAGAR — Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member, Rahul Gandhi arrived here on Wednesday on a 'personal visit'.

Congress sources said that Rahul Gandhi will leave for Gulmarg ski resort immediately after his arrival in Srinagar. “He will spend a few days in Gulmarg during his personal visit,” sources said.

His arrival comes just two weeks after he concluded his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar on January 30 in which the leaders from various political parties participated at the SK Stadium rally here.

His security arrived in Gulmarg on Tuesday and installed CCTV cameras at Hotel Khyber where he is staying for four nights.

It is in place to mention here that this visit of Rahul Gandhi, as per Congress sources, is purely a personal visit as he wants to take some time off from his busy schedule. “This visit is personal and has nothing to do with any official or party activity,” a local Congress leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, sources said Rahul Gandhi may also be joined by former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to Gulmarg.

SRINAGAR — Member of Parliament and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted employment, better business and love but instead they got bulldozer from the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party.

In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said the land, which people of Jammu and Kashmir had been working on and toiling hard for many decades, is being snatched from them. He said peace and Kashmiriyat will be protected by unity, not by bulldozers and dividing the people.

“Jammu and Kashmir wanted employment, better business and love, but what did they get? Bulldozer of BJP! The land, which the people there irrigated with hard work for many decades, is being snatched from them. Peace and Kashmiriyat will be protected by uniting, not by dividing and dividing people,” he tweeted.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir Government has launched an anti-encroachment drive to retrieve 'illegally occupied state' and Kahcharai land.

The move, however, has evoked strong criticism and resentment from local political parties, stating the eviction drive is selective and aimed to snatch land and shelter from the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Sunday hit out at the Lieutenant Governor-led Jammu and Kashmir UT administration, saying the authorities tried to prevent the people from joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra but people defied all hurdles to take part in the Yatra.

In an exclusive chat with The Kashmir Pulse, the Congress leader said that it is a historic moment that Rahul Gandhi unfurled the tricolour at Lal Chowk as it was the location where Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, unfurled the Indian national flag in 1948, shortly after the country gained independence from the British Empire.

"The leadership of Rahul Gandhi is now established with the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra, which no one can question and all those people who spoke ill about him stand isolated. This Yatra was not about politics but to unite the country," he said when asked about the impact of the Yatra.

He went on to state, "I acknowledge the courage of Kashmiri people who participated in the Yatra in large numbers."

SRINAGAR — The national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, Supriya Shrinate on Sunday said that the enthusiasm of people at Lal Chowk defeated the idealogy of hatred propagated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In an exclusive conversation with The Kashmir Pulse, Supriya Shrinate said that hatred is bound to be defeated and love and truth are what bring people together, and therefore come out victorious.

"The message of love spread by Bharat Jodo Yatra has resonated very well with the people of India. The Yatra might have ended in physical form but the issues of unemployment, inflation, poverty, the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, and the atmosphere of hatred will continue to be fought with the same zeal," Supriya added.

She went on to state, "BJP spread a lot of lies about the Bharat Jodo Yatra but the truth came out every time and as Rahul Gandhi says that truth is like sunshine which can be shrouded by clouds for some time but eventually pierces through these."

When asked about the impact of the Yatra, Supriya said that the opposition is united and a united opposition is what will eventually take up all the issues facing our people with all the more intensity.

In her message to Kashmiri people, she said that the Congress party will try its best to safeguard the trust that people have expressed by participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in huge numbers.