Will push for restoration of J&K’s statehood: Rahul Gandhi

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Lok Sabha leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi renewed Congress’s promise Monday to “mount pressure” on the Narendra Modi-led Union govt to restore J&K’s statehood.

Addressing rallies in Surankote of Jammu’s Poonch and Srinagar for candidates of Congress ahead of second phase of J&K assembly polls on Sept 25, Rahul laid out his plans to have the Aug 2019 annulment of statehood reversed.

“If they (the Centre) fail to do it (restore statehood), we will get it done,” Rahul said in Surankote alongside ally and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah. The LoP did not explain how such restoration would be possible without the Centre’s nod.

Rahul sought to strike an emotional cord by referring to Modi govt’s 2019 decision as an egregious move unseen in the annals of independent India. “This was the first time that a state was turned into a Union Territory in the country’s history. Your democratic right was snatched,” Rahul said, seeking support for Surankote Congress candidate Shahnawaz Choudhary as curtains fell on the campaign for the second phase of polls.

Surankote assembly segment is among 26 seats that will vote on Sept 25 in the second of the three-stage elections for J&K assembly’s 90 seats. “We were of the view that statehood should be restored first, followed by elections, but they (Centre) did not do it. We will put pressure on them and you will get back your statehood after elections,” Rahul said.

The LoP accused the BJP-led govt of “taking away” the rights of J&K people. “Today, outsiders are making decisions for you and your voice is not there. Your govt is run from Delhi, orders are coming from Delhi. We want your govt to be run from J&K.”

The theme continued at Rahul’s Srinagar rally, where he recalled that J&K MLAs once made key local decisions like those related to colleges and universities but these were now in the hands of “outsiders” under a Centre-appointed lieutenant-governor.

“The most important issue is your statehood. We promise it will be given back to you. Vote for our candidate and help us bring justice to J&K,” Rahul said to cheers at Shalteng’s Zainakote on Srinagar’s outskirts. He also promised to be the “voice” of the region’s people in Parliament.

Focusing on employment at the Srinagar rally held for Congress candidate Tariq Hameed Karra, Rahul cited Congress’s manifesto and said the party would create one lakh jobs. Referring to a defunct HMT watch factory, near the rally , Rahul cited it as evidence of BJP’s dismal record on jobs, saying many such units across the country had shut down after the Modi govt took charge.

In a dig at Modi’s Mann ki Baat, Rahul claimed the PM made long and “meaningless” speeches in his monthly radio show, without addressing key issues. “He only talks about his Mann Ki baat and not Kaam ki baat. Kaam ki baat is to give jobs and vision to the youth, reduce and restore statehood to J&K. No one is listening to your Mann ki Baat (anymore),” Rahul said.

At both his rallies during the day, Rahul also took potshots at Modi’s “56-inch chest” refrain, saying it had vanished after BJP’s setbacks in the Lok Sabha polls this summer. “The mood of the nation has changed,” the LoP said.

In this, he emphasised the role of INDIA bloc allies like Congress and NC in countering BJP’s “divisive politics”. “They (BJP-RSS) play the politics of division wherever they go. They divided Gujjars and Paharis in Rajouri-Poonch belt but we will not allow them to succeed in their agenda and take everyone along,” Rahul said in Surankote.