Restoration of Statehood In J&K Is Our Priority : Rahul Gandhi
Srinagar, J&K: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “It is our priority in the Congress Party and also in the INDIA alliance to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We had expected that this would be done prior to the elections but elections have been declared. It is a step forward and we are hoping that statehood would be restored as soon as possible and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, democratic rights will be restored to them. This is the first time since independence that a state has become union territories. This has never happened before. Union territories have become states but it is the first time that State has become Union Territory. So, we are very clear in our national manifesto as well that it is a priority for us that the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh get their democratic rights back…My message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is, however we can help you, the Congress Party is always there. We understand that you’re going through a very difficult period, a tough period, and we want to remove violence…”
