Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday kick-started his party’s election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that the INDIA bloc will ensure restoration of statehood to J&K.
“We wished for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the holding of assembly elections but the BJP was not willing and wanted the polls to be held first,” Rahul said while addressing an election rally at Sangaldan, a part of Banihal Assembly constituency in Ramban district. Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani is contesting from the Banihal constituency
“We will ensure return of statehood to J&K, whether BJP wants it or not. We will pressurise the government under the banner of INDIA alliance to ensure restoration of statehood,” Rahul said.
Addressing another poll in Dooru in south Kashmir’s Anantnag in favour of party candidate Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Rahul asserted that the INDI alliance, which the Congress is part of, would win the polls in J&K.
He criticized the BJP and RSS, saying they were on one side, while the INDI alliance partners Congress and National Conference, fighting for justice, was on the other.
“Downgrading of J&K from a state to a union territory was unprecedented in Indian history. This has happened for the first time. Earlier, the UTs were converted into state or states were divided into more states to strengthen democracy. People of J&K have been denied their rights, and it's not just a matter of Congress or National Conference; it's the responsibility of every Indian to ensure J&K gets its state back," Rahul said.
He claimed that the INDI alliance had shaken Prime Minister Narendra Modi's confidence, forcing the government to concede to opposition demands.
“You see (Modi) from a distance and I see him very closely in Parliament. I see directly what is happening and his entire confidence is shattered. Whatever opposition wants they accept it. They talked about lateral entry, we raised questions and they said they would not do it. Nowadays the government is being run by the Opposition that is truth. Similarly we will ensure statehood restoration for J&K,” Congress leader said.
Gandhi hit out at J&K Lt Governor, calling him the "king of the 21st century" and alleged that he favours outsiders close to the BJP and RSS over the people of J&K.
“Today, a king sits in Jammu and Kashmir. His name is Lt Governor but he is a king. Whatever he wants to do he does it and the fact is the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not getting employment nor getting benefits and the Raja is giving every benefit to the outside people who are close to BJP and RSS,” he alleged.
The Assembly poll in J&K is first such polls in the region after Article 370 abrogation and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories.
The Congress has formed pre pre-poll alliance with the National Conference.
As per the accord between two parties, NC would be contesting on 51 seats and Congress on 32 seats while both parties will have friendly contest on five seats and one seat each has been left for CPI(M) and Panthers Party.
The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be held on September 18.