Batting in support of the early restoration of 'statehood' to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Monday said his party would put pressure on the Centre to restore J-K's statehood after the ongoing assembly polls.
Addressing a rally along with the President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah in the Surankote assembly segment of Poonch district, Gandhi also trained his guns toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming the INDIA bloc "broke his psychology" after the Lok Sabha elections.
"He used to boast about a 56-inch chest but he is not the same person anymore".
Seeking support for Congress-National Conference alliance candidates, he said his party wanted the restoration of statehood before the ongoing polls. He said there are numerous examples of Union Territories being upgraded to states but never in the history of India a state was downgraded to a union territory.
"For the first time, a full-fledged state (J&K) was turned into a UT, and your democratic rights were snatched," he told the rally.
"We will put pressure on them (Government) and we will ensure that it (restoration of statehood) is done. If they don't do it we will," Gandhi said.
Rahul reiterated the stand of the party in his second election meeting in Srinagar. "Whenever you need me, you just have to give me an order and I will be present before you. I will raise your issues in Parliament. You know the special relationship I have with you. I do not have to even mention it," Gandhi told an election rally in the Zainakote area on the city's outskirts. "I will be your voice in parliament," he told the gathering.
Gandhi said the biggest issue for the people of J-K is the restoration of statehood. "We guarantee that it will be restored. If the BJP does not give it to you (after elections), we will ensure that it is restored."
The Lok Sabha MP accused the BJP and RSS of spreading "hatred and violence" in the country and dividing people on the lines of caste, creed, religion, region, and language.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio show 'Mann ki Baat', Gandhi said Modi makes long and "meaningless" speeches but is not willing to address the issues of the country.
"He only talks about his Mann Ki Baat and not Kaam ki Baat. Kaam ki baat is to give jobs and vision to the youth and reduce and restore statehood to J-K. No one is listening to your Mann ki Baat (anymore)," Gandhi said at the rally.
Addressing the huge gathering in Surankote, NC chief Farooq Abdullah also made a strong appeal to the people urging them to unite and support its alliance with the Congress in the ongoing J&K polls, which he said is not about religion but action. "Aaj yah dharm ki baat nahin hai, yeh karm ki baat hai kyunki yeh badi jung hai nafrat ke khilaf (Today, it is not about religion but it is about action, because this is a big fight against hatred).
It is a fight against those hate-spreading parties who want to divide India. Can we bury those parties that are spreading hatred in India?" Abdullah said.
Lashing out at the BJP-led Government for "taking away" the rights of the people, Rahul said earlier governments in J-K were run by locals and their decisions were meant for "your better future and in your interest".
"Today, outsiders are making decisions for you and your voice is not there in your government. Your Government is run from Delhi, orders are coming from Delhi. We want your Government to be run from J&K," he told the gathering.
Abdullah urged the public to vote for the alliance and bring its Government to Jammu and Kashmir.
"Press the button on the symbol of the hand, make this alliance successful, and bring its Government to Jammu and Kashmir. This election will relieve you of your difficulties. This is our promise to you," he assured the crowd.
Abdullah referred to Choudhary Mohammad Akram, who is a rebel candidate contesting against the Congress candidate in the constituency and asked him to withdraw for the "greater good" of the alliance.
"Akram Sahab, your continued stance strengthens those forces that do not want us to live peacefully. Step down and make this alliance a success," he urged.
