JAMMU, Aug 22: Senior BJP leader and former Minister Bali Bhagat today responded strongly to remarks made by JKPCC President Tariq Ahmad Karra, asserting that it was not the BJP but the Congress that historically displayed a hostile mindset towards Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, Bhagat highlighted that the Congress, through its policies and governance, was responsible for long-standing issues in the Union Territory.
Bali Bhagat stated, “It is the Congress which imposed Article 370 and 35-A, granted a separate Constitution and Flag to the State.”
“It is during Congress rule that terrorism spread rampantly in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the tragic deaths of 42,000 civilians in 25 years. Had the Congress maintained law and order, terrorism would have been eradicated, and the people here would not have had to witness this day. The Union Territory status of J&K was necessitated because of Congress’s repeated failures. The Congress is the biggest culprit in the state’s debacle,” Bali Bhagat said.
Bhagat further criticized the Congress for its authoritarian tendencies during the Emergency of 1975.
“Tariq Karra must learn history. In 1975, Indira Gandhi attempted to turn democracy into autocracy. Authority to rule by decree was given, civil liberties were suspended, and the press was censored. A democratic state was converted into an autocratic state by the Congress. The BJP has always upheld democratic values, unlike the Congress, which repeatedly undermined them,” he added.
Pointing to the BJP’s governance record in Jammu and Kashmir, Bali Bhagat emphasized the party’s commitment to decentralization and local governance.
“The J&K Panchayati Raj Act of 1989 established a three-tier system, but it remained unimplemented for decades. It was the BJP which ensured its implementation, enabling democratic decentralization of power in the region. The first Panchayati elections post the Act were conducted under Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji’s government in 2000-2001, while Congress and NC both opposed the decentralization of power. BJP has consistently worked for empowering local governance in J&K, unlike the Congress, which resisted reforms,” he said.
Bhagat also highlighted the ideological differences between the two parties. “It wasn’t the BJP but the Congress which showed a hostile mindset towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Congress was affable towards separatism and hostile to the aspirations of ordinary citizens. It is BJP which has worked to integrate J&K fully with India, protect national interest, and ensure development reaches every corner of the state,” he remarked.
The senior BJP leader also reminded the public of the party’s continuous efforts to restore peace, stability, and economic development in the region.
“BJP’s policies are focused on safety, governance, and welfare of every citizen, while Congress’s misrule left the state plagued with violence and stagnation. The narrative of development and progress in J&K today is a result of BJP’s determined efforts,” Bhagat concluded.
