How can you restore statehood to J&K? Shah questions Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Sep 07:  Union Home Minister and BJP leader, Amit Shah Saturday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and JKN vice president Omar Abdullah over their claims of restoring statehood to J&K after they get to power in the upcoming Assembly elections in the region.

He said that he had promised on the floor of the parliament that J&K's statehood will be restored at an "appropriate time."

Addressing a big gathering in Jammu, Shah said that JKNC's manifesto advocates for talks with Pakistan, so "let me make it clear that there will be no talks with Pakistan until J&K becomes peaceful forever."

While defending the central government's move to provide reservation for Gujjar-Bakerwal and Dalit communities, Shah said that "no power can touch this reservation," news agency KNO reported him saying.

Taking a jibe at the NC-Congress for claiming they will bring back the statehood to J&K, Shah said, “Perhaps, Rahul baba and Omar are unaware of my August 5, 2019 speech where I have clarified that statehood will be restored to J&K post polls at an appropriate time,” he said.

Shah questioned Rahul and Omar, saying “I wonder how they can bring back statehood. Can they clarify? It is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government that can give back the statehood to J&K.”

Asking the BJP workers to come along with four families early morning and finish voting by 11:30 am. Shah asked the workers to take a pledge that they will vote against Abdullahs, Muftis and Gandhis. He also raised the slogan: “Jahan Huway Balidan Mukherji, Wo Kashmiri Hamara hai.”

Lashing out at PDP for advocating cross LoC trade, Shah claimed that the profit earned out the trade would directly go into the pockets of “terror mentors.”