Rahul Gandhi arrives in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 21: Ahead of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday to meet party workers and galvanise support.

He is accompanied by All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, MP K C Venugopal, Kaushal Vidyarthee, Pranav Jha, and Basil Raj Kunnel.

The visit comes at a critical juncture as political parties across the spectrum are gearing up for what is expected to be a closely contested election in J&K.

Gandhi’s itinerary reflects the urgency with which the Congress is approaching the upcoming elections. At 10 am, Gandhi will address a workers’ meeting at the Mumtaz, Radisson Collection Hotel in Srinagar.

The meeting is expected to be a closed-door session, where Gandhi would lay out the party’s strategy for the elections and rally the cadre to work towards a strong performance in Kashmir.

Following this, at 11:30 am, Gandhi is scheduled to issue a press statement at Zewar, Radisson Collection Hotel.

This statement is expected to touch upon the Congress’ vision for J&K, with a particular emphasis on issues such as unemployment, development, and the restoration of statehood, which have been central to the party’s campaign narrative.

Gandhi’s press conference will likely serve as an opportunity to address the concerns of the people of J&K and counter the narrative put forth by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Later in the day, at 2:15 pm, Gandhi will travel to Jammu, where he is set to address another workers’ meeting at the Celebration Banquet Resort.

This event will mark the continuation of his outreach efforts, focusing on consolidating the party’s support base in the Jammu division.

The Congress has been attempting to strike a balance between the two divisions of J&K, ensuring that the voices of all communities are represented in their electoral strategy.

Gandhi’s visit is also seen as part of the Congress’ broader efforts to regain its footing in J&K, where the political landscape has undergone significant changes since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The Assembly elections will be the first since the revocation of the region’s special status, making them a crucial test for all political parties, including the Congress.

The party has been positioning itself as a defender of the rights and aspirations of the people of J&K, with promises of restoring statehood and addressing the economic and social challenges faced by the Union Territory.

Gandhi’s meetings with party workers are expected to focus on strengthening the party’s organisational structure, particularly at the grassroots level, and ensuring a united front against the BJP, which has been aggressively expanding its influence in J&K.

Gandhi’s visit to Srinagar and Jammu is likely to be a key moment in the party’s campaign, setting the tone for the final stretch of electioneering in the months to come.