Kharge Defends Reservation Stance Amid Allegations and Clarifications

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge refuted remarks attributed to Rahul Gandhi on scrapping reservations, reiterating the party’s commitment to maintaining them. Kharge criticized BJP’s diversionary tactics and emphasized Congress's focus on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He also dismissed allegations that Gandhi's US visit was a leisure trip amid elections.

Terming remarks attributed to Rahul Gandhi on reservations as 'untrue', Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday reiterated his party's commitment to reservations until untouchability and social injustice are eradicated.

Addressing a press conference, Kharge clarified, ''Reservation cannot be scrapped until there is casteism and lack of social justice. It will continue until my death, and I will tell my children to fight for it.''

Kharge sidestepped queries on the National Conference's agenda to restore Article 370, emphasizing that their prime focus is on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

He also addressed allegations that their alliance with NC supports a Pakistani agenda, dismissing them as false and diversionary. ''The BJP has ruled for ten years but failed to fulfill their promises, often diverting attention by bringing up Pakistan,'' Kharge remarked, reacting sharply to PM Modi's statements on Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies.)