Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that the INDIA bloc will mobilise both in Parliament and on the streets if the BJP-led government does not restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir following the ongoing assembly elections.
Speaking at a public rally supporting party candidates in Jammu, Gandhi described the division of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in 2019 as a “grave injustice.” This marks his third visit to the region in nearly three weeks, having previously toured Banihal and Dooru on September 4, and Surankote and Central-Shalteng on September 23, ahead of the assembly polls.
Upon arriving in Jammu, Gandhi engaged with professionals before addressing the rally at JK Resort Ground.
He stressed his commitment to restoring statehood, stating, “This has never happened in the history of India that we have taken away statehood and transformed a state into UT.” He assured the crowd, “If the BJP does not restore statehood after elections, we — the INDIA alliance — will use our full force in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and even come on the roads for the restoration of statehood to J-K.”
Gandhi accused the government of snatching statehood to benefit “outsiders” through the Lieutenant Governor.
“As long as the Lt Governor is there, outsiders will benefit and the locals will be sidelined,” he said, asserting that this was a deliberate strategy to run J&K for the benefit of non-residents.
He declared that the restoration of statehood is “your right and your future,” emphasising that J&K cannot progress without it. He further criticized the government for its approach to small and medium businesses, claiming it favors corporate giants like Ambani and Adani. “The GST and demonetization were weapons used to clear the road for them,” he argued.
Gandhi also referred to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative as ‘Make in Adani,’ suggesting that contracts under the program primarily benefit the Adani group. He accused the BJP government and the Lieutenant Governor of undermining Jammu, which he described as the central hub for the smooth flow of goods between the Valley and the rest of the country.