Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday made a pitch for restoration of statehood to the region, saying the withdrawal of its autonomous status has not only taken away the state’s identity but also destroyed the rights and resources of its people.
Addressing an election rally in Ramban ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the Congress leader said, “For the first time in the history of India, the statehood has been taken away. A union territory was first made a state. A state has been abolished and the rights of the people have been taken away, first of all the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be restored because not only your state has been taken away, your rights, your wealth, everything of yours is being taken away.”
#WATCH J&K Assembly elections | In Anantnag, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “For the first time in the history of independent India, a state was turned into a Union Territory. When we turn a UT into a state or divide a state, we deepen democracy and take… pic.twitter.com/NkaKgtJTgX
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He said, “We wanted that first you get the state status and then elections should be held. But BJP does not want this, they say that first elections will be held and then the issue of statehood will be discussed. We are saying that no matter what happens, we will get the state status for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Whether BJP wants it or not, we will put so much pressure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will have to be given the state status.”
Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the current administrative set-up in Jammu and Kashmir, and drew a parallel between the region’s previous monarchical rule and its current governance.
He said, “In 1947, we removed the kings, formed a democratic government and gave the Constitution to the country. Today, there is a ‘king’ named LG sitting in Jammu and Kashmir, who is snatching your money and giving it to you. Therefore, our first step will be to return ‘statehood’ to Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Congress MP highlighted his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and underlined the contrasting approach of his party and the BJP.
Rahul said, “This fight is between two ideologies. On one side – hatred, violence and fear. On the other side – love and respect. We marched from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, during which we gave the slogan – ‘We have to open a shop of love in the market of hatred. BJP’s job is to spread hatred, our job is to spread love.”
The Congress leader said, “Before the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi used to come with his chest puffed up, now his shoulders are bent. This time, before entering the Parliament, he placed the Constitution on his forehead and then went inside.”
Rahul Gandhi also promised to fill all government vacancies if he comes to power.
He said, “The coalition government of the Congress party is going to come to power here, this is going to happen. Our first task will be to fill all the government vacancies and we will increase the age to 40 years, we will regularise the daily wage workers. Make them permanent and we will increase their income. Our aim will be to run the government of Jammu and Kashmir by taking everyone along, everyone should be respected, we should take everyone along.”
Rahul Gandhi said, “This is such a beautiful place, I will have to come here after the elections. You have made a 45-minute program for me here, you have cheated me. I don’t think that at least a 2-3 day program should be made here.” The Congress leader said, “Such a place, such lovely people are not seen, at least bring me here for 2-3 days and show me around.”
There are 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, of which 7 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 9 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STS). These upcoming elections will be the first elections in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
Voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1. Counting of votes will take place on October 8.
