Srinagar, Sep 23 (KNO): Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi made his second visit to Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, addressing two back-to-back election rallies in support of Congress candidates for the ongoing assembly elections.
After addressing a rally in Poonch, Gandhi travelled to Srinagar, where he spoke at a public rally in the Central Shaletang constituency, where Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra is contesting.
On the sidelines of the rally, the news agency—Kashmir News Observer’s (KNO) Correspondent, Jahangir Sofi, spoke to All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, also the former President of JKPCC, about Gandhi’s visit to J&K as a star campaigner and its potential impact on voters in the region.
The brief interview also touched upon the alliance with the National Conference (NC) and the participation of groups that have previously boycotted the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir.
Excerpts:
How significant is it for the J&K Congress to have Rahul Gandhi leading the election campaign?
Rahul Gandhi is our chief campaigner, representing the aspirations of the youth, poor, women and farmers. For the past 10 years, he has been steadfastly opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. He is highly regarded in this region, and his presence carries weight. This election, taking place after the abrogation and downgrading of the state's status, sees him as our primary advocate to restore statehood. That is our commitment.
What is Rahul Gandhi's central message during these rallies?
As I mentioned, PM Modi has spread hatred and created divisions among communities. Rahul Gandhi’s message to the people is clear: remove BJP and its harmful policies from J&K, and free the region from the detrimental effects of BJP rule. That will be the central message.
There have been breaches in the Congress-National Conference seat-sharing agreement in some constituencies. How do you view this?
Such instances have occurred in several places. From our side, some candidates who were supposed to step aside decided to contest. We took action and expelled those individuals to uphold the alliance agreement. However, the National Conference has not yet addressed or acted upon similar breaches. For example, in the Central Shaletang constituency, where the NC-Congress alliance has fielded Tariq Hameed Karra, an NC candidate is running as an independent. They may claim he has left the party, but the NC President, Farooq Abdullah, needs to clarify that the coalition’s official candidate is Karra and that any independent candidate has no affiliation with either party.
You are contesting from south Kashmir's Duroo constituency. What are the political dynamics there?
In this constituency, the core National Conference supporters have respected the alliance. However, some disgruntled individuals without true conviction have strayed. Despite this, the committed cadre of both parties has followed the seat-sharing arrangement. These are minor issues, but the major message is that the NC-Congress-Panthers-Left alliance is intact, and it is the need of the hour. We have significant challenges to address, and this election is not about individual aspirations for chief ministership or MLA positions. It's about the people’s verdict to reclaim what was taken from us.
How has the political landscape of J&K changed since it was downgraded and bifurcated into two union territories?
There is deep resentment among the people of J&K. Although they are not violently protesting, they now have the opportunity to express their views through the ballot. We advocate for a constitutional and democratic approach, and this election is their chance to respond to Modi's unilateral decisions, which were made without consulting the people of J&K and are widely rejected across India.
Many who previously boycotted elections are now contesting. How do you see this shift?
The people are the ultimate judges. Once these individuals enter the electoral field, their past actions will be scrutinised by the voters. I have nothing more to add to this.
Last year, Bharat Jodo Yatra was launched. Has it galvanised support for Congress in J&K?
Bharat Jodo Yatra was not about rallying support for Congress, it was a national message against the hatred spread by PM Modi and the divisions created between communities. Rahul Ji walked 4,000 kilometres from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to bridge these divides and promote brotherhood. When he entered Kashmir on foot, the reception he received from the people—youths, women, and elders—was overwhelming. His heartfelt message about the loss of his grandmother and father resonated deeply with every Kashmiri. That sentiment remains in the hearts of the people of Kashmir—(KNO)