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New Delhi, General Secretary of Congress, Jairam Ramesh, criticized the BJP-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly suspending democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly criticizing the government’s actions following Modi’s visit to Udhampur.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Ramesh accused the BJP of halting nearly all levels of democratic governance in the region and refusing to initiate fresh elections. He expressed these concerns in light of Modi’s recent activities in Udhampur, suggesting they were part of efforts to maintain control in the former state.
The Congress leader highlighted that since the BJP government withdrew support from the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in 2018, citing security concerns, Jammu and Kashmir has been governed directly by the Union Government, leaving the local population without an elected government. Furthermore, Ramesh pointed out that four seats in the Rajya Sabha have remained vacant due to the absence of assembly elections, which the Supreme Court of India has now instructed to be conducted by September 2024.