Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Vikar Rasool Wani said on Thursday that if the INDIA alliance comes to power at the Centre, statehood to Jammu & Kashmir will be restored within a week of assuming office. Speaking at a press conference, Wani expressed confidence in the alliance winning all six seats in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Expecting a change of guard at the Centre, he anticipated a swift resolution of key issues including employment, inflation, job security, land rights, and cultural preservation for the people of J&K.
Wani said the restoration of statehood to J&K would be a priority if the alliance is elected.
"We have repeatedly discussed this with our leader Rahul Gandhi. With an anticipated change in the central government, we aim to resolve this issue within the first week of assuming office," he said.
He announced that Zameer Ahmad, a candidate with a significant voter base in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, has decided to support the Congress and the alliance candidate, Omar Abdullah.
"We are committed to addressing various issues such as employment, concerns of fruit growers and farmers, and the removal of smart meters," he said and added, “If Congress comes to power, smart meters will be eliminated."
In the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Congress and the National Conference are contesting jointly in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. While Congress has fielded three candidates from Jammu and Ladakh, the NC has nominated three candidates from the Kashmir division. Wani is from Banihal region of Jammu and Kashmir and he has been instrumental in strengthening the party after the exit of Ghulam Nabi Azad. He is considered close to the Congress top brass, especially the Gandhi family.
