Narendra Modi Does 'Mann Ki Baat', But Not 'Kaam Ki Baat': Rahul Gandhi In Srinagar

Jammu-Kashmir Election 2024: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Narendra Modi, accusing him of ignoring critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the need for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

Jammu-Kashmir Election 2024: In a series of sharp remarks during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, vowed to exert pressure on the central government to restore the region's statehood after the completion of assembly elections. He emphasised that this was a top priority for the Congress party and the INDIA alliance.

"Your democratic right was snatched," Gandhi said during an address in Srinagar. "In India, Union Territories were made into states. States were divided to form new ones. Madhya Pradesh was split to create Chhattisgarh, Bihar to form Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh to form Telangana. But for the first time in the history of our country, a state has been reduced to a Union Territory. The rights of the people have been taken away."

The Lok Sabha LoP did not hold back in his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of ignoring critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the need for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. "Narendra Modi gives long speeches, talks nonsense, and does his 'Mann Ki Baat'. But he does not know how to speak about issues that matter, like removing unemployment, reducing inflation, providing a vision to the youth, and restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. These are the matters of importance, but Modi cannot talk about them. Instead, he spends 24 hours talking about 'Mann Ki Baat', which no one wants to hear."

Rahul Gandhi's 'Outsider' Jibe At Jammu-Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha

Criticising the current administration in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul remarked that decisions regarding the region were being made by "outsiders," specifically referring to the role of the Lieutenant Governor. "You are not making decisions for yourselves; outsiders are making decisions for you. The Lieutenant Governor, who is an outsider and not from Jammu & Kashmir, has been made the king here. He has no idea how to facilitate the development that the people want. This is why we are demanding that the people of Jammu & Kashmir should elect their own leaders and have their government to begin working for their own development again."

Highlighting the promises in the Congress manifesto, Gandhi pledged to fill one lakh vacant government posts, provide Rs 3,500 monthly unemployment allowance, offer Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women, interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for self-help groups, mobile clinics in every tehsil, and super speciality hospitals in every district. "Just like we implemented the health insurance scheme in Rajasthan, we will provide health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh for every family. But the most important issue remains the restoration of your statehood, and we guarantee that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will get it back."

On a personal note, he added, "Whenever you need me, just give me an order, and I will be here. You know I do not have a political relationship with Jammu and Kashmir. My relationship with you is one of blood, heart, and love."

Earlier, speaking at a rally in Surankote, Poonch district, in support of the Congress-National Conference alliance candidates, Gandhi reiterated his commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. "If they fail to restore statehood after the elections, we will put pressure on them to ensure that it is done."

He also accused the RSS-BJP of dividing people based on religion, caste, and region, while claiming that the Congress was working to spread love in the midst of hate. The second and third phases of the three-phase elections for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are scheduled for Wednesday and October 1, respectively, with the results to be declared on October 8.