Jammu, Mar 31: Ch Lal Singh, a two-time former MP and three-time ex-Cabinet Minister, who is now the Congress candidate for the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, embarked on a vigorous election campaign, addressing a series of roadside meetings and public rallies across various locations.
Starting from Rajbagh and culminating in Chhan Khatrian, Singh's journey encompassed several key areas, including Mirpur, Mangatian, Chann Rorian, Bann, Seswan, Chandwan, Chann Datyal, Chadwal, Dayala Chack, Talli, Jasrota Palace, Patyari, Mela, Hiranagar Morh, Hiranagar City, Gura Mundiyan, and Kootah.
In his address to a large gathering at Hiranagar City, Singh slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of indulging in divisive politics and exploitation during their tenure. He criticised the BJP for their communal policies and alleged vote-bank politics, claiming that they divided people on the basis of religion and caste to further their political agenda.
Singh also targeted the present MP for the Udhampur constituency, accusing him of neglecting the needs of the people. He highlighted issues such as the cancellation of land mutations, which he said has adversely affected poor farmers, and the failure to address the demands for district status for Basholi.
Lal Singh questioned the MP’s actions during the period of Article 370 abrogation and state reorganisation. The present MP discusses Amethi in Kathua and Udhampur and forgets that he has given toll plazas to the people of J&K, he said. Similarly, mutations of lands of the poor people of the constituency have been cancelled and now the poor people cannot plough the land which they have been doing since independence, he added.
“During the time of elections, the present MP starts demanding the district status for the people of Basholi. When BJP took away 370 and reorganised the state, what the present MP was doing during this period? Can’t he grant the district status to Basholi?” he asked.
Asserting the Congress's commitment to serving the poor, Singh said the BJP on the other hand serves only big businessmen. He accused the BJP government of selling off public assets and resources to corporate entities and their associates.
Addressing another gathering in Hiranagar town, Lal Singh reiterated his promises to revitalise the administrative apparatus, address grievances and prioritise the recruitment of local youth in companies operating in the region if elected to power. There is a need to respect and honour local employees who have been sidelined under the current regime, he said.