Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said on Wednesday that the INDIA bloc would ensure that statehood was restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
By being downgraded to UT injustice was served to the people of J&K. “Your democratic rights were snatched only to allow outsiders to govern and rule over you,” Gandhi said in Jammu on Wednesday, referring to the Lt Governor being in charge.
As long as the UT had an LG outsiders would get all the benefits and the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be sidelined, he said.
“Jammu is a hub for Kashmir’s businesses and production, and it connects Kashmir with the nation. The BJP government and LG have tarnished this role.”
He said they had destroyed the small businesses of Jammu, which had resulted in unemployment.
Gandhi promised that the INDIA alliance would use all its strength to counter the BJP if the party did not agree to return statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
He added, “We had thought that you would get back the statehood before elections. That would have been the correct way. But it is fine that they are conducting elections first. But we want your democratic rights, and the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir to be given back to you.
“This was done for the first time in the history of India and it should never be done with any other state. I assure you if BJP doesn’t return your statehood, we, the leaders of the INDIA alliance, will use all our strength to get back the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Gandhi also expressed confidence in the formation of the INDIA alliance government after the elections .
“We will use “Parliament, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and protest, but we will get your statehood back. Whether the BJP agrees with us or not,” Gandhi added.
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