Rahul Gandhi Promises Immediate Restoration of Statehood to J-K Under INDIA Bloc

Rahul Gandhi, kicking off Congress' election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, vowed that the first decision of the INDIA bloc when in power will be to restore statehood to the region. He criticized the Modi government's handling of J-K and emphasized the need for unity against divisive politics.

Rahul Gandhi, spearheading the Congress' election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, declared on Wednesday that reinstating statehood to the region will be the INDIA bloc's first act when assuming power at the Centre if the current government fails to do so after the assembly polls.

Addressing rallies in Dooru and Banihal, Gandhi lambasted the Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing him of acting like a '21st-century king' and diverting benefits to people from outside the union territory.

Expressing confidence that the Congress-led alliance will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi accused the Modi administration of stripping the region's statehood and rights, emphasizing the necessity of restoring statehood as a national responsibility.

(With inputs from agencies.)