Congress Claims Fight is for Voting Rights, Not Against Traders: Ravinder Sharma

Jammu, October 27 (Daily Kiran) : Congress’s chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, addressed various issues ahead of a significant event scheduled for November 1 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. These included concerns raised by traders, alleged AI-generated videos targeting the Indian Army, and discontent within the National Conference regarding cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions and destabilizing the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. He clarified that Congress’s struggle is not against any particular group but is focused on protecting citizens’ voting rights and democracy.

In response to Rahul Gandhi’s call for traders to voice their concerns to the government and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Sharma asserted that Congress aims to support, not harm, traders. He noted that the party had previously postponed its event until it received permission to hold the rally at Ramlila Maidan, ensuring that it would take place entirely within the venue to avoid disrupting local businesses.

Sharma questioned why concerns about potential harm to businesses were only being raised regarding the Congress event when the BJP was also organizing its own rallies. He emphasized that exercising the right to raise demands is a fundamental aspect of democracy for the opposition.

He referenced the impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that discussions on the matter were being stifled. Sharma mentioned that Congress has approached the Supreme Court regarding this issue, with pending petitions. He highlighted complaints about the removal of numerous names from voter lists, claiming that nearly 130 million voters had been affected, which could hinder their ability to vote. He specifically cited one case involving around 13,000 voters.

Sharma stressed that it should be the individual’s choice where their vote goes, but their names must remain on the voter list. He urged traders and other groups to support Congress’s campaign, asserting that Rahul Gandhi and the party are fighting to protect voting rights. He also expressed concerns about citizens’ freedom of expression, noting that democracy and business are interconnected.

Regarding the alleged AI-generated videos targeting the Indian Army, Sharma stated that the government should promptly refute any false videos. He criticized the government’s tendency to remain silent rather than clarify the truth of such content, making it difficult for the average citizen to discern real videos from those fabricated with AI. The government has a responsibility to provide accurate information and prevent the public from believing misleading material.

Sharma also touched on security concerns related to Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, citing public worries about Chinese activities. He referenced the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in Galwan and emphasized the need for the government to focus on border security. He insisted that the government must remain vigilant on national security matters and provide timely information on any suspicious videos.

On the issue of discontent within the National Conference regarding cabinet expansion, Sharma accused the BJP of weakening Jammu and Kashmir’s political structure. He pointed out that while there are 90 seats in the assembly, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has not been restored. The central government had previously committed to restoring statehood in the Supreme Court, yet this promise remains unfulfilled. He argued that the BJP seeks to maintain control over administrative decisions rather than granting sufficient powers to the elected government. Although Congress supports the majority government from the outside, Sharma claimed that the party chose not to join the cabinet to expose the BJP’s actions.

He stated that Congress could have been part of the cabinet but prioritized the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the BJP of attempting to limit the number of ministers and create discontent within the government, thereby hindering its functionality.

Sharma concluded by reiterating that both the National Conference and Congress have consistently demanded the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. He reminded that promises had been made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister regarding this issue, and the Supreme Court had also affirmed the commitment to restore statehood. While the electoral process has been completed, the crucial step of reinstating statehood remains pending. He emphasized that the people have cast their votes, and the government should now be allowed to function independently.