‘Will ensure restoration of Statehood, 150-year-old practice of Darbar Move’
The Diplomat Desk
Jammu,(TDD): Nature has bestowed this place with priceless bounties but everything was snatched by Prime Minister Narendera Modi led government as there is an atmosphere of suffocation in J&K since past ten years, said Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi while addressing her maiden rally at Bisnah Jammu.
She apologised to people for waiting for her since morning stating that she was told weather was erratic and her chopper can’t land in Jammu. But the moment weather improve, she said she was told that weather is improving and she can proceed for Jammu.
“I am so happy to be here, I can’t express that in words,” she said.
“I was so desperate to meet you and finally I was told that weather has started to improve. Thank God I am here. I am sorry for reaching so late.”
She said PM Modi makes tall claims about development in J&K but the fact remains that what was snatched from people of J&K can’t be compensated.
“Your land rights and your other resources were snatched,” Priyanka said, adding that “PM claims that BJP constructed tallest rail bridge over River Chenab which is largest than Eiffel tower Paris. But the fact remains that Eiffel tower can’t compensate Statehood and rest of the things that were snatched from you,” he said.
She said in J&K people are feeling suffocated for the last ten years.
“You had a 150-year-old practice of Darbar Move that was also snatched from you. Here, Lieutenant Governor is acting and working at his own will without any accountability,” she said.
Priyanka said that Congress will ensure restoration of age-old practice of Darbar Move and work hard to get back Statehood for J&K.
The Congress leader has also made it clear that the process of installation of smart meters will be put to an end if the party is voted to power, adding that the pending bills of people will be waived off.
She said that the rehabilitation process for Kashmir Pandits started during the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh will be resumed as well.
Moreover, Priyanka targeted the government over terror incidents, saying that the terrorism as being claimed is not over in Jammu and Kashmir as 683 incidents have taken place in which 260 security Forces and 170 civilians got killed and questioned whether it is the ‘Naya J&K’.
She reiterated that Gandhi family had an old bond with Kashmir. “When I was 12 and Rahul was 14, late Indhira Gandhi insisted on going to Kashmir. She brought us here and visited Mata Kheerbhawani temple. It was just four days before her assassination,” Priyanka said. “Whenever I visit Kashmir, I pay obeisance at Kheerbhawani and remember my daadi (grandmother).” She said in Kashmir Gandhi family find solace. (TDD)