Akhnoor, Nov 6 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday said the Congress would continue its campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, asserting that protecting citizens' voting rights and ensuring free and fair elections remained central to safeguarding democracy.

Addressing a party gathering in Akhnoor organised by newly appointed JKPCC Scheduled Caste Department chairman Ashok Bhagat, Karra accused the BJP-led Central government of undermining the electoral process and depriving citizens of their democratic rights.

Referring to the campaign launched by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Karra alleged that various forms of "vote chori" had been exposed and claimed that more than 13 crore people had been deprived of their voting rights.

He accused the Modi government and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of facilitating electoral irregularities, alleging that manipulation of the electoral process had continued for several years.

Karra said the right to vote was fundamental to democracy and asserted that the Congress, along with like-minded political forces, would resist any attempt to undermine it.

Referring to the recent Congress rally in Delhi against alleged electoral irregularities, he claimed that the gathering reflected growing public concern over the issue and urged party workers to intensify their campaign.

Turning to Jammu and Kashmir, Karra reiterated that restoration of statehood remained the Congress's foremost political priority.

He accused the BJP of stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood and other constitutional rights, saying people continued to face difficulties because of the prevailing administrative arrangement.

Congratulating Ashok Bhagat on his appointment as chairman of the party's Scheduled Caste Department, Karra praised his performance in the Assembly elections and said his academic and administrative background would help strengthen the representation of marginalised communities.

He also recalled the contributions of former legislators Pandit Dharam Pal Sharma and Madan Lal Sharma, describing the Akhnoor-Chhamb belt as a traditional Congress stronghold where the party would work to rebuild its organisational base.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Addressing the gathering, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla accused the BJP of neglecting the proposed railway connectivity project linking Rajouri and Poonch through Akhnoor and Sunderbani.

Bhalla said the project had been awaiting clearance for more than 13 years and questioned the BJP's failure to pursue it despite its importance for the border population.

He said improved railway connectivity was essential for the development of the region and accused the BJP of ignoring the transport requirements of people living in remote and border areas.

Bhalla also criticised the continued delay in restoring statehood, saying people were caught between two centres of power under the existing administrative arrangement.

He asserted that the Congress would continue its struggle until Jammu and Kashmir regained statehood.

Former minister Mula Ram accused the BJP government of failing to address rising prices, unemployment and the concerns of economically weaker sections.

He said poor families and unemployed youth were facing increasing hardships and called for policies aimed at protecting their interests.

Mula Ram and Jammu Rural District Congress president Neeraj Kundan congratulated Ashok Bhagat on his appointment and expressed confidence in his organisational abilities.

Earlier, Assembly constituency in-charge Kuldeep Sharma and other local leaders welcomed the JKPCC president and thanked the party leadership for appointing Bhagat.

Among those present were Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, former MP T S Bajwa, former legislators Balbir Singh, Ved Mahajan and Hari Singh Chib, former ministers Yash Pal Kundal, former MLA Krishan Bhagat, Vijay Sharma, Hussain Ali Wafa, Ajay Lakhotra, Ashok Sharma, Sanjeev Panda, Bharat Priye, Mangal Bral, Baldev Bhagat, Latish Sharma, Vijyant Pathania, K P Singh, Amit Sayal and Ram Paul Sharma. (KNS)