Restoration of statehood Congress, INDIA bloc's priority: Rahul Gandhi in J-K

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sought to strike an emotional chord with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and assured that the restoration of statehood was a priority for the Congress party as well as the oppositions INDIA blocThe former Congress president also said it is his partys aim that the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh get their democratic rights backGandhi and Congress President Malikarjun Kharge were in JK on a twoday visit to hold consultations with party workers ahead of the assembly elections in the UTAs Gandhi concluded the Srinagar leg of his visit he stitched up an alliance with Jammu and Kashmirs oldest regional party the National Conference NC holding consultations with the NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah at their residence hereThe announcement of the alliance was made by the senior Abdullah after the Congress leaders left his residence for JammuDuring the twoday visit Gandhi also met a delegation of students in JK relished traditional Kashmiri cuisine Wazwan at a famous restaurant and had an icecream at a popular local parlourSpeaking to reporters after holding an interaction with his party leaders and workers Gandhi assured the people of JK that his party and the INDIA bloc will work towards the restoration of the statehood to JK and the democratic rights of the peopleIt is our priority and also of the INDIA bloc to get statehood restored to JK as soon as possible We had expected this could be done prior to elections but it is okay elections have been declaredIt is a step forward and we are hoping that statehood will be restored as soon as possible and the democratic rights of the people of JK will be restored he saidThe Congress leader said he has a very deep relation with the people of JK and it is always a pleasure for him to visit here He assured them that the Congress is always there to help them in whatever way it canMy message to the people of JK is that whatever way we can help you with the Congress party is always there We understand that you are going through a very difficult period a tough period We want to end violence He reiterated that he wants to open Mohabbat ki dukan nafrat ke bazaar mein shop of love in market of hate with respect and brotherhoodThe LoP criticised the Centres decision of downgrading JK from a state to a UTThis has never happened before UTs have become states but it is the first time that a state has become a UT We are very clear in our national manifesto as well that it is a priority for us that the people of JK and Ladakh get their democratic rights back he addedEarlier addressing his party leaders and workers here Gandhi said he shares an old bond and a blood relation with KashmirReferring to his late night visit to have a dinner and relish icecream here he said he felt irritated when someone asked him whether he liked the people of JK I told them that no I do not like the people of JampK I love them Gandhi said it is his mission to erase the pain and fear in the hearts of the people of JKLater the Congress leader held an interaction with the party workers in Jammu and told them that he considers himself their soldier in New Delhi He added his doors are always open for party workers describing them as the lions of the CongressTaking a dig at the prime minister Gandhi said PM Narendra Modis body language and confidence have drastically changed after the parliamentary poll resultsThe LoP in the Lok Sabha told the Congress workers You know my relationship with you It is not a political connection It is a relationship of love and that of my familys background My family comes from your state So you should always feel that you have a sepoy in Delhi I am your sepoy Whatever you need my doors are always open for you he said You only have to give me an order and I will be present before you Referring to the party leaders as his generals and the workers as sepoys he emphasised that both must be respected in all situations including during alliances with other partiesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever