On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, emphasized that restoring statehood and ensuring proper representation for the people of Jammu and Kashmir are top priorities for the Congress party. He also highlighted that the upcoming electoral contest represents a “battle of ideologies” between Congress and the RSS.
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said that the significance of restoring statehood and ensuring adequate representation for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a gathering in Jammu, Gandhi underscored that the Congress party is deeply committed to these objectives and framed the forthcoming elections as a contest between differing ideologies—the Congress versus the RSS.
Gandhi spoke passionately about the unique culture and heritage of Jammu, referring to it as a land blessed by Maa Vaishno Devi. He acknowledged that the people of Jammu have distinct lifestyles and thought processes. “Jammu has a culture, a history, and is the land of Maa Vaishno Devi. Your lifestyle and thinking style are different. Every state has its unique characteristics, and we want to preserve these cultures, histories, and languages. We want your voice to be heard in your government,” he said.
The Congress leader criticized the BJP’s centralization of power, accusing them of attempting to govern the entire country from Nagpur through remote control. He added that complaints about outsiders benefiting from local resources are echoed in other states, such as Maharashtra. “The BJP has a different approach; they want to run the entire country from Nagpur. If you visit Maharashtra, you will hear similar complaints about outsiders,” Gandhi noted.
Emphasizing the Congress party’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi reiterated their support for restoring statehood and empowering the local government to function as desired by its residents. “We want statehood for you. It’s in your heart, and we want you to manage your state the way you wish. This is the message we want to convey,” he affirmed.
Gandhi also expressed a personal connection with the people of Jammu, framing it as one of familial love. “My relationship with you is one of love and family. My own family comes from your state, so remember that I am your soldier in Delhi. Whatever you need, my doors are always open,” he stated.
Further, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the upcoming assembly elections represent a battle of ideologies between the Congress and the RSS. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Congress has managed to unsettle him psychologically. “This election is a battle of ideologies between Congress and RSS. I observe Prime Minister Modi in Parliament and can tell you that Congress workers have given him so much psychological pressure that his confidence has been shaken,” Gandhi said. He assured that Congress workers have his full support and expressed readiness to address any needs or concerns.
Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met with National Conference (NC) leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. The meeting marked a significant step as the two parties finalized an alliance for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The alliance was announced by NC patron Farooq Abdullah, who confirmed that the two parties would contest together and detail seat-sharing arrangements later in the day.
“The alliance has been finalized, and by this evening, we will announce the details of seat-sharing. This alliance will cover all 90 seats,” Farooq Abdullah stated. He emphasized that the primary concern for the NC is restoring statehood and empowering the local government. “People have suffered a lot over the past decade. Our top priority is statehood and regaining all the powers of the state. Our common objective is to fight against divisive forces. Our doors are open for all; let’s focus on winning the election first. I am happy today,” Abdullah added.
When asked about his own candidacy in the upcoming assembly elections, Farooq Abdullah remained non-committal, saying, “It’s better if you don’t ask me this question. I will not answer it.”
The Congress and the NC had previously allied during the Lok Sabha elections, with the NC securing two seats (Anantnag and Srinagar) while Congress did not win any. The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with the results expected to be announced on October 4. This will be the first assembly election in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.
