Srinagar: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, emphasized the commitment of the Congress party and the INDIA bloc to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible. This declaration was made amid discussions on the political future of the region, which was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Rahul Gandhi stated during a media interaction in Srinagar that restoring statehood was a top priority for both Congress and the INDIA bloc. He expressed disappointment that statehood was not reinstated before the recently announced Assembly polls, which he acknowledged as a positive step towards restoring democracy in the region.
The Congress leader highlighted the uniqueness of Jammu and Kashmir’s situation, noting that it was unprecedented for a state to be reduced to a Union Territory post-independence. He reaffirmed his party’s pledge, as outlined in their election manifesto, to restore the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
All India Congress Committee Chief Malikarjun Kharge also commented, emphasizing ongoing efforts to build an alliance based on local leader feedback and a desire to include the wider opposition. He criticized the current administration for their delayed action on elections in Jammu and Kashmir, attributing it to pressure from recent Supreme Court directives.
The Congress leaders, who had arrived in Srinagar earlier in the week, proceeded to Jammu to continue discussions with party leaders and workers.