Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, said the pre-poll coalition in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is inevitable, but not at the expense of the interests of the party workers or leaders.
Addressing Congress workers in Srinagar, he said, "All of you should remain assured that there will be no compromise on the interests and respect of party workers and leaders.”
Rahul Gandhi said that he and AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge had decided to prioritise their visit to J&K.
“We want to send a clear message that the representation and statehood of J&K are of utmost importance to us,” he said.
He pointed out that while several states have been converted into Union Territories since independence, J&K is the first to be downgraded from a state to a Union Territory.
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Reflecting on his connection to Kashmir, Rahul said he was enjoying wazwan and ice cream in Srinagar the previous evening. "When someone at the ice cream shop asked if I liked the people of J&K, I was irritated and replied that I don't just like them—I love them," he said. “I have a deep bond with the region. I have a blood relation with Kashmir."
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the INDIA bloc has managed to shake Modi's confidence.
"You don't see PM Modi thumping his chest anymore,” he said. “Our ideology and strength have opened a path for us.”
Rahul Gandhi said the INDIA bloc leaders did not resort to violence or unparliamentary language but succeeded in sending a clear message to the prime minister that he is not invincible.
Kharge, at the same event, highlighted the significance of the upcoming elections in J&K.
He said that if the Congress wins in J&K, it would pave the way for its success across the country. "The people of J&K should place their trust in Congress so we can help pull you out of the current mess and despair."
He urged the people to vote for Congress in large numbers in the upcoming assembly elections, which begin on September 18, and expressed confidence that the party would secure 40-45 seats.
Kharge said a survey has shown that Rahul Gandhi is the most popular leader in J&K.
Reinforcing the party’s commitment to fighting for the restoration of the rights of the people of J&K, he said, "We will fight for your land, forests, and the rights that have been taken away from you."
