J-K polls: Sonia targets BJP, promises slew of development measures

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday took on the BJP-led NDA government ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, stating that the Centre had made big promises to the people after last month's floods but failed to live up to it.

"Today, when there is a BJP government in the Centre, it seems like they do not care about your problems. They did not even provide the entire relief money that the state government asked for. BJP leaders came, made big promises, but you all know what the reality is at the ground level," Sonia said at an election rally here.

Gandhi also made a slew of promises to the residents of the poll-bound state.

"The Congress party has always focussed on tourism and trade in the Valley. This time, if Congress comes to power, we promise to build new airstrips to facilitate tourism. We will also make two regional councils for Jammu and Kashmir. We will make two development councils for Pir Panjal Valley and Chenab Valley," she added.

The Congress president also reminded the people of the development measures taken by former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Under Ghulam Nabi Azad, we gave you a strong and sensitive government. Law and order was improved, railways were improved and water and power were provided to far flung areas," she explained.

The Congress is seeking to revive its flagging fortunes in this month's assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after a facing a drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections, followed by a rout in Haryana and Maharashtra.

The Jammu and Kashmir polls are scheduled to be held in five phases from November 25 to December 20. The counting of votes will be held on December 23.