‘Promise to restore statehood’: Rahul Gandhi kicks off Congress’ campaign ahead of Jammu and Kashmir polls

Kicking off the Congress’s campaign ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir polls, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday promised to restore statehood for the people. Polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which will elect 90 members, is set for September 18, September 25, and October and counting of votes will be on October 8, along with Haryana.

He described the Lieutenant Governor as a “king” and alleged that the central government was misappropriating resources and advantages.

“Today, a king sits in Jammu and Kashmir. His title is Lieutenant Governor, but he behaves like a king,” Gandhi said, speaking at a rally in Sangaldan, Banihal Assembly constituency. “Your wealth is being taken away and given to people from outside. All benefits are being allocated to outsiders,” he added.

“This is why our first step would be to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. 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.

The Congress leader also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost his confidence following the recent Lok Sabha elections and predicted that Modi’s government will soon be removed.

He also accused the central government of being controlled by Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and their corporate allies, and criticised the Modi government over unemployment, stating that GST and demonetisation had harmed small businesses while benefiting a few billionaires.

Gandhi referred to Modi’s corporate associates as “A1” and “A2,” implying they were Adani and Ambani, and alleged that these billionaires are effectively running the government. He claimed that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir was “snatched” after the abrogation of Article 370 to benefit these billionaires.

He further asserted that Jammu and Kashmir suffers from the highest unemployment rate in the country, and the government has failed to create job opportunities for the youth. Gandhi said the opposition’s unification under the INDIA bloc had diminished Modi’s confidence, stating, “We have finished Modi psychologically… we will remove Modi and the BJP from government soon.”

Gandhi also criticised Modi for his changing positions on issues like the caste-based census and lateral entry systems, suggesting that Modi’s recent actions reflect fear and insecurity.