The Congress party has expressed strong opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) plan to nominate five Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Jammu and Kashmir before forming a government. They argue that this move undermines democracy and the people’s mandate, as it manipulates the election results.
Key Points from Congress’s Press Conference
Fraud on Democracy: Raman Bhalla, working president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), stated that the BJP’s actions show desperation to alter the election outcome because they lack a legal foundation to form a government. He emphasized that any nominations made prior to government formation would be a violation of democratic principles and a betrayal of voters’ trust.
Constitutional Concerns: Ravinder Sharma, chief spokesperson for JKPCC, highlighted that according to constitutional rules, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) should act based on the advice of the Council of Ministers. He argued that using nominations to change a majority into a minority after votes have been counted is an abuse of power.
Call for Representation: Sharma also pointed out that the Congress party supports proper representation for marginalized communities, including refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Kashmiri Pandits. He criticized the BJP for not providing adequate parliamentary representation for these groups and stressed the need for reserved seats similar to those in Sikkim, which allows representation for minorities.
Manipulation Allegations: The Congress party suspects that the BJP’s nomination strategy is an attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes to strengthen their political position. They assert that nominations should only occur after a new government is established, based on merit and democratic norms.
The Congress party’s strong stance against the BJP’s nomination plan reflects their commitment to uphold democratic values and ensure fair representation for all communities in Jammu and Kashmir. They believe that any attempt to alter the electoral process before government formation is not only undemocratic but also a direct affront to the will of the people who voted in the recent elections.