‘We will remove smart meters from everywhere in J&K’
TDD Correspondent
Sopore, (TDD): Praising the hospitality of the people of Sopore, Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Parliament Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said that he wants Kashmiri apple to reach the international market but that wasn’t possible without Statehood.
“I want this apple to not to reach Indian markets but China, America and Japan too. Your future lies in this apple. I want people of America to relish Kashmiri apple,” Rahul said. “I promise, if our government comes to power, we will set up Apple processing unit here and fix Rs 72 per kg rate for apples. The processing unit will help you to send the produce to national and international markets much quicker.”
Hailing the senior Congress leader and former party MLA from Sopore for Haji Rashid for keeping dry fruit and walnuts before him, Rahul said: “One thing you had missed to keep for me is Apple. Your future lies in this Apple.” Rahul was holding an apple in his hand during his speech.
He reiterated that Statehood was the prime demand of people of J&K. “INDIA alliance will put pressure on BJP led government at the Centre in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to restore Statehood to J&K. If they fail, INDIA alliance will do it as a first thing after coming to power,” the LoP said.
He said J&K was the only state run by outsiders rather than Chief Minister or MLAs. “Here, LG and bureaucrats are calling the shots,” Rahul said.
He accused PM Modi led government of waiving of the loan amount of Rs 16 lakh crores to Ambani and Adani. “PM Modi government doesn’t wave off the loan of farmers, poor man or cart pullers but big business tycoons,” he said. Reiterating his commitment for restoration of Statehood to J&K, he said that soon after the elections in J&K, the INDIA alliance will mount pressure on the Centre to restore the Statehood. “If BJP fails to do so, we will protest in Parliament. If Centre still doesn’t restore it, we will do it when INDIA alliance will come to power,” Rahul said—(TDD)