The former chief minister said Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the region was a slap on the faces of those who would brand mainstream leaders of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistanis or Khalistanis
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The National Conference’s alliance with Congress is driven by necessity, not compulsion, party supremo Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday. He also emphasised that the alliance was a need of the hour to advance the development of Jammu and Kashmir and work towards the restoration of its statehood.
Speaking to reporters before heading for an election rally in south Kashmir, where Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to speak, Abdullah clarified that the alliance with Congress is vital for the region’s future. “This is not about compulsion; it’s about what’s needed right now. Our goal is to unify efforts for the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, according to a PTI report.
The former chief minister said Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Union territory was a slap on the faces of those who would brand mainstream leaders of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistanis or Khalistanis.
Abdullah praised Gandhi as a significant voice for the nation, noting that his presence in Jammu and Kashmir is a powerful message against the false accusations levelled against local leaders. He also expressed hope that people across the country would recognise the need to bring the region out of its current difficulties and restore its full statehood, a status that was downgraded to a union territory.
“He (Rahul) is a big voice for our nation. It is a slap on the face of those who accused us of being Pakistanis or Khalistanis. I hope the people of the country understand that we want the state (Jammu and Kashmir) to come out of this difficult period and develop. I have seen for the first time that a state has been downgraded to a union territory. This has to change and full statehood has to be restored … that is what we are trying,” he added.
Abdullah refused to comment on statements made by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti against the National Conference.
