Jammu, Jul 17 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday welcomed the National Conference's decision to join the campaign for restoration of statehood, saying the movement was initiated by the Congress nearly two years ago and was always meant to represent the aspirations of all 1.4 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Karra, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Congress had from the outset maintained that the "Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq" campaign was not a party-specific movement but one belonging to every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of religion, political affiliation or region.
He said the party had invited all political parties and sections of society to join the movement, even offering to let others lead it if required.
Welcoming the National Conference's participation, Karra said it would have been better had the party joined earlier, saying the Congress would not question the reasons for its delay. "We welcome this move because the issue of restoration of statehood concerns every resident of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
The JKPCC chief said the Congress had conceived and consistently championed the movement and would continue its campaign until the demand for restoration of statehood is fulfilled.
Karra also announced that the Congress has advanced its scheduled programme from July 20 to July 19 following the National Conference's announcement of its Delhi protest on July 20.
He said Congress workers from all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir will assemble at Hari Singh Park in Jammu on July 19, hold a sit-in protest and later march to the Lieutenant Governor's residence to submit a resolution demanding early restoration of statehood.
He said the party has already completed district-level programmes and prepared a constituency-wise campaign to further intensify the movement.
If the Centre continues to delay restoration of statehood, the Congress will launch a major yatra from Lakhanpur to Lolab, Karra said, adding that the proposed programme has also been discussed with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi—(KNO)