Baramulla, Sept 25: The Opposition will use its full force to pressurise Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated on Wednesday addressing a public rally in Sopore.
The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that for the first time in history, a state was downgraded into a 'union territory' and injustice was served to the people of the territory and the INDIA bloc will fight for its restoration.
"We wanted that the statehood be restored before elections. All the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted the elections to take place after the restoration of the statehood. The first and foremost issue is regarding your statehood. Several UTs have been made states, and states have been bifurcated. But this is the first time in history that a state has been turned into a Union Territory. It did not happen, the first step is election. But after this, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be restored," Rahul Gandhi said.
"INDIA Alliance will pressurise PM Modi in the Parliament for this. If they don't do this, then we will restore your statehood as soon as the INDIA bloc forms the government at the centre. If we want this apple to reach America and Japan, statehood has to be restored," Rahul Gandhi added.
The Congress party, in alliance with the National Conference, is fighting in 32 seats, while the NC is vying for 51 of the 90 Assembly seats.
