Kashmiri schoolgirls gesture while listening during a rally in North Kashmir's Kupwara district, September 17, 2024.
Reuters
Srinagar: Highlighting north Kashmir as a battleground for the BJP's "experimental policies", the Congress' Jammu and Kashmir chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday urged the region's electorate to vote intelligently in the final phase of the assembly polls.
Claiming that the saffron party's "experimental policies" posed a risk of division and destabilisation, Karra emphasised the critical role of north Kashmir's electorate and pointed to their rejection of the BJP's agenda in previous elections.
"It is imperative that north Kashmir unites against these divisive forces and the misleading claims of development made by the current government, which has only hindered the region's progress," he said.
Addressing a gathering, Karra underscored the importance of these elections, asserting that they would shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir for the next century.
"The entire region is looking to north Kashmir for leadership," he remarked, referencing the BJP's unsuccessful attempts to gain direct support in the region during previous elections, including for the District Development Council, Block Development Council, and the Lok Sabha.
Karra encouraged the voters to continue their support for candidates of the Congress-National Conference alliance, which he said would safeguard Jammu and Kashmir's future.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have made their choice, favouring alliance candidates in previous phases. Now, it is crucial for north Kashmir to reaffirm this mandate and reject divisive politics," Karra emphasised.
The Congress is contesting five of the 16 assembly seats going to the polls in the third and final phase of the elections, to be held on October 1.