Jammu, Oct 1 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Wednesday said it would intensify its campaign for restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the BJP-led Centre had failed to honour its repeated commitments on the issue.

Addressing a joint press conference at Rajiv Bhawan here, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former minister Mula Ram, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma and party chief whip in the Legislative Assembly Nizamuddin Bhat said the Congress would step up its “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” campaign for restoration of statehood with constitutional safeguards for land, jobs and natural resources.

The Congress leaders alleged that the Centre and the BJP had repeatedly assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood would be restored, including commitments made by the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister in Parliament and in public.

“People are not demanding anything new but the fulfilment of the commitment made by the Centre itself,” Bhat said, according to the party statement.

The Congress leaders also referred to the recent resolution passed by the J&K Legislative Assembly seeking restoration of full statehood, saying it reflected the aspirations of the people of the Union Territory.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

They alleged that the delay in restoring statehood was contrary to the spirit of democracy and claimed that the Centre was seeking to continue “rule by proxy” despite the presence of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress reiterated that it wanted restoration of full statehood along with constitutional guarantees for the protection of land and jobs.

The party leaders also said the J&K Congress would participate in the INDIA bloc's proposed nationwide campaign on electoral issues and democracy. They alleged irregularities in the electoral system and demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Congress said its statehood campaign would continue across Jammu and Kashmir and also include programmes outside the Union Territory, including a proposed “Delhi Chalo” campaign.

The party leaders said the Congress would continue to press the Centre to fulfil its commitment on statehood and would intensify the movement until the demand was addressed.