Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday chose to parry sensitive political issues and focused on recent flood fury, its impact and alleged failure of the Central Government to reach out to the people. She blamed the BJP-led Central Government for failing to provide succour to the flood-ravaged people of Kashmir.
“The words and actions of the BJP leadership are not the same. They have failed to do on ground what they promised to the people," Gandhi said at an election rally in north Kashmir's Bandipora town. She was campaigning for former counter-insurgency commander-turned-politician Usman Majid, who is fighting against incumbent PDP legislator Nizamuddin Bhat.
Majid has represented the constituency for six years after winning 2002 elections and remained a Junior Minister in the Mufti Muhammad Sayeed regime.
Accusing the BJP of politicking on provision of relief packages to flood-affected people, she said that the promises were not fulfilled by the Central Government. "The ruling party at the Centre promised the sky but did not follow it up with action. It seems they (BJP) are not interested. BJP leaders came and promised the sky but did not give anything. Even what the State (Government) demanded was not provided," she said.
Striking an emotional chord with the rally participants, Gandhi said that her family has a century-long relationship with Kashmir that attracts her to the place repeatedly. "We want prosperous Jammu & Kashmir. The agenda of the Congress party is simple. Don't promise anything or show dreams that cannot be realised on ground," She said.
The rally was also addressed by former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, JKPCC president Saif-ud-Din Soz and Congress party's in-charge of J&K affairs Ambika Soni.