Rahul Gandhi vows to protest inside, outside Parliament for J&K statehood

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday threatened protests inside and outside Parliament to force the BJP to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. Speaking at poll rallies in Jammu and north Kashmir, he said the INDIA alliance would build pressure on the BJP-led government, and if it fails, they will storm the well in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and hit the streets across the country. He accused the Centre of downgrading J&K to a Union Territory for the first time in Indian history, calling it a matter of shame.

Gandhi said statehood is the right of the people and J&K cannot move forward without it. He claimed the statehood was revoked to allow non-residents to govern and sideline locals, and that the Lieutenant Governor is acting at his will. He also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has handed over the Kashmiri apple economy to the Adanis and Ambanis and waived Rs 16 lakh crore worth of loans for them. Gandhi promised to remove smart electricity meters and make Punjabi an official language in Jammu, and reiterated a promise of minimum support price of Rs 72 per kg for apples.