Taking a dig on the lieutenant governor, Mr Gandhi additionally mentioned J&Okay is being dominated by a king.
Srinagar:
Aiming to win over the folks of Jammu and Kashmir forward of the Meeting elections, which start in lower than two weeks, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi opted to combine a political pitch with an emotional one whereas kicking off his celebration’s marketing campaign within the Union Territory on Wednesday.
As Jammu and Kashmir sees its first election in almost 10 years in addition to its first as a Union Territory after it was stripped of its particular standing underneath Article 370 in 2019, Mr Gandhi made the restoration of statehood the central plank of his addresses on Wednesday whereas additionally reminding folks of the ties of blood he and his household share with them, going way back to his great-grandfather and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mr Gandhi, who’s the Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha, additionally took a jibe on the J&Okay Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha – and the BJP-led authorities on the Centre by way of him – by calling him a ‘raja‘ (king).
The BJP, which can see its marketing campaign start on Friday with rallies being addressed by House Minister Amit Shah, hit again and accused the Congress-Nationwide Convention alliance within the Union Territory of being supported by militants.
‘Kings Eliminated’
Addressing a rally for the Congress candidate from Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, with Nationwide Convention chief Farooq Abdullah, Mr Gandhi cited a number of selections that needed to be rolled again by the Centre and cited that as proof of the opposition INDIA alliance’s rising power within the nation. This power, he advised his viewers, would be sure that Jammu and Kashmir can be granted statehood if the folks voted the INDIA alliance into energy within the Union Territory.
“In 1947, we eliminated the kings and shaped a democratic authorities. We gave the nation a Structure. However a raja is ruling Jammu and Kashmir at present. His title is LG (lieutenant governor), however he’s a raja. Your cash is being stolen and given to folks from outdoors. Be that within the type of contracts or the rest… The very first thing that must be finished is restoring statehood to J&Okay as a result of it wasn’t simply your state that was snatched… Your rights, your wealth, all of it’s being snatched,” Mr Gandhi mentioned.
Private Relationship
Addressing one other rally in Anantnag, he spoke in regards to the private ties he has with the folks of the state.
” that you simply and I’ve a blood relation. This isn’t a political relationship. Be it Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi or Jawaharlal Nehru, it’s an outdated relationship. No matter you need from me, my doorways are at all times open for you. I need to serve you in Parliament. I’ll elevate your points, your ache and your sorrow. The nation must know that that is the primary time in India’s historical past {that a} state has turn out to be a Union Territory,” he mentioned.
Mr Gandhi additionally claimed that the BJP has used the Kashmiri Pandit concern for political causes and has not helped the group. Utilizing his oft-repeated ‘mohabbat ki dukaan‘ (store of affection) phrase, he asserted that the Congress will stand with the group and work for its welfare if the celebration varieties a authorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Tough Time’
The Nationwide Convention is the senior accomplice of the alliance within the UT, contesting 51 of 90 Meeting seats towards the Congress’ 32 – with pleasant fights in 5 constituencies – and celebration chief Farooq Abdullah mentioned the coalition shall be profitable within the elections.
“We’re elevating our voice. This can be a slap on the face of people that referred to as us Pakistanis, Khalistanis and whatnot. I hope that the folks of India will perceive that we wish Jammu and Kashmir and its folks to prosper after the tough time they’ve been by way of. That is the primary time a state has turn out to be a Union Territory. We have to change this, we wish statehood, and that is what we’re working in direction of,” he mentioned.
BJP Hits Again
Scoffing on the remarks by Mr Gandhi and Mr Abdullah, senior BJP chief Ram Madhav mentioned the events are being supported by militants. The BJP has constantly maintained that J&Okay has progressed after the removing of Article 370 and Mr Madhav claimed that the Congress, Nationwide Convention and Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) need to push the Union Territory off the trail of growth.
“I need to remind the those that the manifestoes launched by the Nationwide Convention, PDP and others need to take J&Okay again to the outdated days and outdated issues. They’re overtly taking the help of militants to combat the elections. I’m seeing that former militants are supporting, and campaigning for, Nationwide Convention and PDP candidates. Now we have to defeat such events. Jammu and Kashmir will see a authorities being shaped underneath the management of the BJP,” he mentioned.
Jammu and Kashmir will vote in three phases between September 18 and October 1. Counting will happen on October 8.
