Srinagar- In a fiery election rally ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Vikar Rasool Wani, senior Congress leader and former Chief of the JK Pradesh Congress Committee, launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC).
“NC flag is red because it is stained by the blood of Kashmiris, especially the people of Banihal,” Wani said.
Addressing a gathering of supporters in Banihal, Wani also accused the NC of attempting to buy Congress workers in an effort to weaken his party.
“National Conference is trying their best to purchase our workers, but our people are steadfast in their mission to support Congress,” Wani said during the rally.
Accusing NC of underhanded tactics, Wani claimed, “Every day, your team comes with a bag of money, but our workers won’t sell their faith for money.”
He further criticized the party for failing to establish even a single college in the area over the past 70 years. “In the last seven decades they have failed to give Banihal a college, now they are out to buy our workers,”
He also accused NC of failing to bring development to the Banihal constituency, specifically targeting the party’s top leaders, including Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, and Omar Abdullah.
Wani assured his supporters that NC would not receive a single vote from the Banihal constituency in the upcoming elections.
The latest remarks by a senior Congress leader have intensified the tension between Congress and National Conference workers, at least in the Banihal constituency.
It has also raised questions about the future of the pre-poll alliance between the two parties.
Karra Condemns Remarks
JKPCC meanwhile on Monday disassociated itself from the “derogatory remarks” made by senior party leader Vikar Rasool Wani against its alliance partner National Conference.
JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra strongly condemns the derogatory remarks and unparliamentary language used by Congress leader and its candidate from Banihal, Vikar Rasool Wani, against the NC leadership during a programme in Banihal on Sunday, the JKPCC said in a statement.
Wani, a former JKPCC chief, launched a scathing attack on the NC during his election rally, saying “NC’s flag is red because it is stained with the blood of Kashmiris, especially the people of Banihal”
However, Karra said the Congress disassociates itself from such statements and condemns the use of such language.
“We have great respect for the late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, who is one of the most senior and respected political leaders of J&K. The Congress and NC are fighting the upcoming elections in alliance against the BJP and will continue to fight for the dignity and rights of the people of J&K,” he said.
Such statements are unacceptable and go against the values of democracy and respect for political opponents, Karra added and urged all political leaders to maintain dignity and respect in their public discourse.
“We reiterate our commitment to the alliance and our joint fight against the BJP’s divisive politics. We will continue to work together to protect the interests of J&K and its people,” the JKPCC chief said.