- By Shivam Shandilya
- Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that the representation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and giving back statehood is most important for the Congress. He also added that there is a "battle of ideologies" between Congress and the RSS. Speaking in Jammu, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasised the culture of Jammu and said that it's a land of Maa Vaishno devi, adding that the people here have different thinking and styles.
"Jammu has a culture, a history, it's a land of Maa Vaishno devi, your lifestyle and thinking style are different. Every state has a different style, we want all these cultures, history and languages to be protected. We want your voice in your govt. BJP has a different thinking, they want to run the entire country from Nagpur, through remote control. The complaint that you are making is that outsiders are getting benefits, if you go to Maharashtra, you'll hear a similar complaint," he said.
"We want statehood for you, that is in your heart. We want you to run your state the way you want to, this is the message we came to convey," he added.
The former Congress president further said that his relationship with the people of Jammu is love and family. He also asserted that the assembly elections are a battle of ideologies between Congress and RSS.
"My relation with you all is that of love and family. My family comes from your state, so you have to keep in mind that I am your soldier in Delhi. Whatever you want... my doors are always open for you," he said.
Rahul Gandhi said, "You know your sipahi is in Delhi. Anything you want you can tell me I will do that."
Earlier in the day, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, along with the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, met National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
"We, along with Rahul Gandhi had a warm courtesy meeting with JKNC President, Farooq Abdullah and JKNC Vice President, Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, today," the Congress chief posted on X.
The National Conference and the Congress will contest the forthcoming assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir together and have formed an alliance. The formal announcement of the tie-up was made by NC patron Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar on Thursday. The announcement was made after Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress and the NC had fought the Lok Sabha elections in an alliance with each other. The National Conference won two seats - Anantnag and Srinagar. The Congress could not win any seat.
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The results will be announced on October 4. The Election Commission has issued notification for the first phase of assembly seats for 24 seats. This is the first assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
(With input from agencies)