JASROTA, (KATHUA), Sept 29: Stating that he is not going to die till Prime Minister Modi is removed from power, All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief, Mallikarjun Kharge today vowed to fight for the restoration of Statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will fight to restore Statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you,” Kharge said at Jasrota public rally in Kathua district after he was provided medical assistance at the rally venue.
The Congress chief earlier complained of dizziness while speaking and had to be provided medical help.
Kharge’s remarks came amid criticism of the BJP-led Government at the Centre for its handling of the Union Territory, particularly regarding the delay of elections.
Congress president had arrived Jasrota along with AICC general secretary I/C J&K Bharatsinh Solanki in a helicopter to address a rally, seeking support for his party candidate from Jasrota seat, Thakur Balbir Singh in the Assembly elections.
JKPCC senior vice president and chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said Kharge felt dizzy and was taken to a room, where doctors were called for a check-up. He was alright and gave his consent to address second rally at Ramnagar but the chopper could not land there, he added.
“I wanted to talk. But due to dizziness, I have sat down. Please pardon me. They (BJP) are trying to terrorise us. They talk about Pakistan. We do not fear. Who had gone to Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharief and eat Biryani. Who has freed Bangladesh. Indira Gandhi did it. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan slogan was given by us. Pakistan was defeated by us. Lal Bahadur Shastri (govt) defeated it. This is Congress,” Kharge asserted.
Earlier, while paying tributes to a head constable of Jammu and Kashmir who was martyred in an encounter at Kathua, Kharge’s voice started fading and the Congress leaders at the stage and security staff immediately provided support and sought medical help.
Kharge alleged that the BJP was “running Jammu and Kashmir through remote control”, and pointed to the Supreme Court’s intervention as the catalyst for the Government’s preparations for elections.
“These people never wanted to conduct elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court’s order,” he stated.
He accused the BJP of failing to restore Statehood despite having the authority to do so, and criticised the ruling party for allowing outsiders to dominate critical sectors such as mining, road/ highway and liquor contracts.
Kharge condemned Modi’s governance, claiming, “Modi Ji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He highlighted the troubling unemployment statistics, noting that the current jobless rate is the highest in 45 years, a situation he attributed to the BJP’s policies.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, 65 per cent of Government positions are lying vacant. Jobs are being given to outsiders, leaving local youth without opportunities,” he added.
Turning his focus to the Assembly elections, Kharge suggested that Modi’s recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir showed the Prime Minister’s anxiety about potential defeat.
“You must have heard how many lies Modi Ji spoke when he came here. This shows his nervousness because he can clearly see defeat,” Kharge remarked.
Congress chief cautioned the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the BJP’s deceitful tactics, accusing the party of diverting attention away from pressing issues such as unemployment and the lack of development.
“Except for promises, the BJP has done nothing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the past 10 years. Now, during elections, they are shamelessly trying to raise irrelevant issues to hide their failures,” he stated.
Kharge also criticised the BJP’s promise of creating five lakh jobs, calling it an empty slogan. “For 10 long years, they could not deliver a few thousand jobs to the youth. How can they now promise five lakh jobs? They are deceiving the youth here,” he said.
The Congress chief underscored the importance of restoring the “Darbar Move” tradition for the economic prosperity of both Jammu and Kashmir regions, reiterating Congress’ commitment to the well-being and progress of the people.
He urged voters to support Thakur Balbir Singh, the Congress candidate from Jasrota seat which will vote on October 1 in the third and last phase of the Assembly polls.
AICC general secretaries B S Solanki, G A Mir, AICC co-incharge J&K Manoj Yadav, PCC senior vice president Ravinder Sharma, IYC chief Uday Chib, DCC Kathua president Pankaj Dogra, S S Channi and Th Balbir Singh also spoke on the occasion.
