NVI Correspondent
Anantnag, Sep 04 (NVI): Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi today reiterated the speech he made in Banihal area of Ramban, in his second rally at Dooru area of Anantnag but added that J&K’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) was the “Raja” of 21st Century who works at his will.
“Statehood is your right and it has to be announced by the BJP. If not, INDIA bloc will do it as its first step when it comes to power after dethroning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Time is not far when we will bring him down,” Rahul said addressing a gathering at Dooru, Anantnag in South Kashmir.
Congress-NC has fielded Ghulam Ahmed Mir as its joint candidate from Dooru. “In J&K, there is Maharaja rule of sorts. The LG is the Raja of 21st century doing things at his own will.” He mocked PM Modi for claiming that J&K has seen democracy flourishing post August , 5, 2019.
“Democracy flourishes in States not in UT’s. J&K is the first State that was downgraded to a UT, rather two UTs were carved out of one State. So how can a democracy flourish in UT,” Rahul asked. “Rights of people here were snatched without telling them and yet they (BJP) claims J&K is witnessing democracy.”
In a democracy, Rahul said there is a State legislature, legislators who pass laws and discuss people’s issues. Rahul said he wonders how democracy term is fitted with the J&K by the BJP. “J&K was a State, downgraded to two UTs and yet BJP claims democracy in J&K. Democracy term fits with the State that has its own Assembly where issues are discussed and laws and made. Here, all such things were snatched,” he said.
He reiterated that wherever BJP opens the shop of hatred, Congress will open shops of love. “We will win this battle by promoting brotherhood and harmony,” he said.
He called for a unity among NC and Congress workers at ground level. “Wherever there is NC candidate in the fray, Congress workers have to support him in full and same should be done by the NC workers. Our unity is out strength,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah also called for unity stating Plough (NC party sign) can’t work without a hand. “Let’s put a united face against BJP. For a moment, we thought they (BJP) would kill everyone in Kashmir post Article 370 roll back on August 5, 2019,” he said, adding that “We must thank Almighty for keeping us alive. Even today, a child was killed for having a cow at his home.”
Present on the occasion other than National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, were NC MP from South Kashmir Mian Altaf, and Senior Congress leaders Tariq Karra, Raman Bhalla, Peerzada & G.A.Mir. (News Vibes of India)