Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, accused the BJP of spreading fear and hate across India. He said the Congress, with the National Conference (NC), will counter this with love. Gandhi was speaking at a rally in Sangaldan, Ramban district, campaigning for Congress candidate Vikar Rasool Wani. He praised the region’s beauty, saying, “This place is so beautiful that I don’t want to go to the second poll meeting. I want to stay here with you.”
Two Ideologies in Conflict
Gandhi said the current political fight is between two ideologies. “On one side is fear, hate, and violence. On the other side is love, honor, and respect,” he said. He added that they walked 4,000 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to spread a message of love. “The BJP wants to divide, but we want to unite,” he stated. Gandhi expressed confidence that the Congress-NC alliance will form the next government in J&K.
Restoring Statehood to J&K
Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “PM Modi used to enter with a broad chest, but now he comes with drooping shoulders.” He highlighted that, for the first time in India’s history, a region has lost its statehood. Gandhi promised that restoring statehood to J&K will be Congress’s first priority. He also criticized the BJP’s plan to hold elections before restoring statehood. Gandhi vowed that the INDIA bloc would pressure the BJP into returning J&K’s statehood.
He noted that power projects in J&K don’t benefit the locals. He also mentioned the high unemployment rate in the region. Gandhi urged voters to support Vikar Rasool Wani in the Banihal constituency.
The Congress-NC alliance will contest 83 seats together. NC will contest 52 seats, and Congress will contest 31 seats. J&K has 90 Assembly seats. Of these, 47 are in the Valley and 43 in Jammu.
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