Farooq Abdullah & Rahul Gandhi Back J&K Statehood, Call Alliance a Necessity

After Rahul Gandhi's advocacy for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, former CM Farooq Abdullah underscored the alliance with Congress as vital. He condemned those who labeled them 'Pakistanis and Khalistanis' and asserted the need for restoring statehood. Upcoming elections mark the first since Article 370's abrogation.

Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah emphasized on Wednesday that the push for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is actively ongoing. He stated that the alliance between Congress and the National Conference is a necessity rather than a compulsion, labeling it as a significant counter to detractors who termed them 'Pakistanis and Khalistanis.'

Abdullah remarked, 'I am going to meet him. We will succeed in the alliance between Congress and National Conference. This stands as a substantial voice for our nation, a rebuttal to those who accuse us of being Pakistanis or Khalistanis. Our goal is for the state to progress and emerge from its challenges.' He added that it is crucial to reinstate Jammu and Kashmir's status from a Union Territory to a state.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, at an election rally in Ramban, decried the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, saying it stripped the region of its identity, rights, and resources. This election is pivotal as it is the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The elections are scheduled in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting on October 8 (ANI).

(With inputs from agencies.)