Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his party’s commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, making it a top priority for both the Congress party and the larger INDIA bloc. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, following an interaction with party workers, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of reinstating democratic rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that while the Congress had initially hoped for statehood to be restored before the upcoming elections, the announcement of the elections was a positive step forward. He expressed optimism that the process of restoring statehood would soon follow.
“It is our priority and also of the INDIA bloc to restore statehood in J&K as soon as possible. We had expected this could be done prior to elections, but it is okay, elections have been declared. It is a step forward, and we are hoping that statehood will be restored as soon as possible and the democratic rights of the people of J&K will be restored,” Rahul Gandhi stated.
The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been a central issue for the Congress party, especially in the aftermath of the region’s reorganization in 2019, which saw the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc have consistently advocated for the reversal of this decision, arguing that it is crucial for upholding the democratic rights of the people in the region.
Rahul Gandhi’s comments come at a time when political activity in Jammu and Kashmir is intensifying in anticipation of the forthcoming elections. His reaffirmation of the party’s stance is likely to resonate with the electorate, particularly in a region where the question of statehood remains a deeply emotive and significant issue.
As the electoral process moves forward, the Congress and the INDIA bloc are expected to continue pushing for the restoration of statehood, positioning it as a central tenet of their broader political agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.