Fazil Mir
Srinagar, Aug 22 (NVI): Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader and LoP in the Lok Sabha, made it clear that while an alliance in Jammu & Kashmir is inevitable, it would not be done at the cost of interests of Congress workers and leaders.
He assured the audience, during a meeting with Congress workers in Srinagar, that any coalition that would be formed in J&K will have to give foremost importance to Congress workers and interests. “A coalition is on the horizon, but it will not be at the cost of our workers’ and leaders’ interests. Rest assured, their respect and interests will remain uncompromised,” he stated.
Rahul said the decision was taken following consultations with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. “We are here to tell people that the representation and statehood of J&K are very important to us,” he said, adding, “Though many states have been converted into Union Territories, J&K was the first one whose status was degraded from state to UT.”
Speaking after spending the night in Srinagar, Rahul mentioned the nice Wazwan and ice cream he had the previous evening. He narrated how he was asked by someone at an ice cream shop whether he liked the people of J&K. “I was taken aback and replied that I don’t just like the people of J&K—I love them,” he said, touching on his long association with the region. “My bond with Kashmir is deep; it’s in my blood.”
Without taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name, he said it is the INDIA bloc that has “rattled” Modi’s confidence. “You no longer see PM Modi boasting with the same vigor. The idea of our ideology and the sheer determination of this march has clearly made an impact. We didn’t use any violence, neither did we use any harsh words, but we sent a very clear message to PM Modi that he is not invincible,” he said.
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who also spoke on the occasion, said that winning in J&K was important to them. “If we win in J&K, then it will be a step towards victory for the party throughout the country. We appeal to the people of J&K to give an opportunity to us to lead them out from this misery and march towards the path of progress,” Kharge told, appealing for overwhelming mandate in the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled to begin from September 18. He was confident that Congress could win 40 to 45 seats in these polls. “Surveys indicate that Rahul Gandhi is the most popular leader in J&K,” Kharge added, he said Congress will fight for ensuring that the rights of J&K, including land, forests and resources, are restored to it.—(News Vibes of India)
