Rahul promises global markets for Sopore’s apples

Sopore, Sep 25: Senior Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said that he would take the Kashmiri apples to global markets like the US, Japan, and European countries.

He said the restoration of the statehood and the revitalisation of the apple industry which is the backbone of the region’s economy will be the priority of the INDIA bloc.

Carrying an apple in his hand Gandhi while addressing a rally at Dangerpora in Sopore, Gandhi said, “The future of the people is with this apple.”

He said that the restoration of statehood would be the first step in achieving that goal.

To strengthen the local economy, Gandhi connected the growth of the apple industry with the restoration of statehood.

He said that for Sopore’s apples to reach global markets, including the USA, Japan, and European countries, the region must regain control over its governance.

“Restoration of statehood is the first step for Sopore apples to reach international markets,” Gandhi said.

Criticising BJP for bifurcating the erstwhile J&K state into two union territories, he said that the unprecedented move was a blow to the democratic rights of its people.

“For the first time in the history of India, a state has been downgraded into a union territory. The people of J&K were told they cannot have a chief minister or MLAs, and will be ruled by bureaucrats from outside,” Gandhi said.

He said that if the BJP does not listen to the popular demand of the people of restoring statehood then the INDIA alliance would use all the means in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and even take to the streets for the restoration of statehood to J&K.

“If the BJP does not restore it after the elections, then we will fight together for its restoration,” Gandhi said.

He criticised the ruling BJP for spreading “hate and violence” across the country.

Gandhi referenced the Congress party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir as an effort to spread unity and love.

“We embarked on the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to bring people together and counter the divisive politics of the BJP,” he said.

Criticising the government’s economic policies, Gandhi cited issues like wrong GST implementation, crony capitalism, and unemployment as major obstacles to the region’s development.

He said that banks were unwilling to support the youth and farmers of J&K but were quick to offer assistance to a select group of capitalists.

“Sixteen lakh crore worth of loans were waived off for 20 to 25 capitalists, but common people and farmers receive no such amnesty,” Gandhi said.

He said that his party was committed to the economic and agricultural welfare of the people of the J&KJ and had already laid down reformative steps in the party’s manifesto which include Minimum Support Price (MSP) for apples set at Rs 72 per kg, 100 percent crop insurance for farmers, and Rs 2500 crore irrigation project to support local farming.

“Besides halting the eviction of poor residents, we will stop the installation of smart meters which has been a cause of concern among the locals,” Gandhi said.

Expressing a deep emotional bond with J&K, he said that his connection with the people of J&K was not political but ancestral.

“J&K is in my heart and my relation with the people of J&K is not of politics but of blood,” he said, promising to return and spend more time understanding the issues of the people of J&K.