Congress Prioritizes Restoration of J&K Statehood Amid High Voter Turnout

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, unveiling guarantees from health insurance to job creation. He criticized BJP's stalled promises. First phase assembly polls showed a turnout of 61.13%, marking the first elections post Article 370 abrogation.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized on Saturday that the party's priority is to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, a status revoked when it became a Union Territory. Speaking at a press conference in Jammu, Kharge questioned why statehood hasn't been reinstated despite the central government's authority.

"We've declared seven guarantees, including restoring statehood and providing a health insurance scheme of Rs 25 lakh for every family in J&K," Kharge said. Other promises include a Rs 3,000 monthly benefit for women heads of families and interest-free loans of Rs 5 lakh. Kharge also pledged rights for OBCs and speedy job notifications for 1 lakh vacancies.

Kharge criticized the BJP for failing to fulfill job promises, noting, "BJP said they would give 5 lakh jobs but have done nothing in five years." The remarks come amid high voter turnout in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, where 61.13% of voters participated. This election is the first since the annulment of Article 370, with voting continuing through October 1 and results announced on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)