Rahul bats for J&K statehood

Dooru (J&K), Sept 4: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is the collective responsibility of all citizens of the country and assured that it will be the first decision of INDIA bloc government at the Centre if the Modi government failed to restore it after assembly polls.

The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha was addressing an election rally in Dooru assembly segment of Jammu and Kashmir, 75 kilometres from Srinagar. AICC general secretary G A Mir is contesting the polls from this seat as candidate of Congress-NC alliance.

“Restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a responsibility of not only the Congress party or INDIA bloc but of every citizen of the country,” Gandhi said.

He said his party had wanted that the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir be restored before holding of assembly polls but the BJP wanted to do it after the elections.

“One thing is sure that Jammu and Kashmir will get back its statehood, I guarantee that. Either the BJP restores it (after polls) or when INDIA bloc forms the next government (at the Centre), it will be the first decision to be taken,” he said.

The former Congress chief said it was for the first time since Independence that a state has been reduced to a Union territory which has led to snatching of rights of the people.

“Upgrading a Union territory to state or dividing a state for creating new states leads to devolution of power as states have assemblies which make their own laws. But reducing a state to a Union territory takes away the powers and this injustice has happened with Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Gandhi claimed that the lieutenant governor appointed by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir is acting like a “21st century king” and all benefits are being given to people from outside the UT.

“Here, LG is the king of the 21st century. Whatever he wants, he does it. The people here neither get employment nor any other benefits. The government gives all that to outsiders.

“They won’t do anything about high electricity tariffs. They will give benefits to BJP and RSS people. This fight is not only here but throughout the country…the BJP and RSS are attacking democracy. The institutions like EC, bureaucracy, media, all are being controlled,” he said. (PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Houses razed, hundreds detained in massive crackdown in Kashmir post Pahalgam massacre

Srinagar, Apr 26: Authorities in Kashmir have launched a...

Democratic politics have fundamentally changed globally, says Rahul Gandhi

Hyderabad, Apr 26: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on...

3 dead in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets Trump at Vatican

Kyiv, Apr 26: Three people have been killed overnight...

Massive explosion, fire strikes Iranian port, injures at least 516 people

Tehran, Apr 26: A massive explosion and fire rocked...

Thousands attend Pope Francis’ funeral, ceremony he helped reimagine

Vatican City, Apr 26: World leaders and Catholic faithful...

Assam: Two teens go missing while bathing in Brahmaputra

Barpeta (Assam), Apr 26: A search operation is...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img