"Statehood connected with emotions of people of J&K": Sachin Pilot

Jammu, Sep 18: Congress leader Sachin Pilot said that the issue of restoration of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir is connected with the dignity and self-respect of its people.

He also said that the BJP violated the emotions of the people of the Union Territory (by abrogating Article 370).

Polling was held for the 24 seats in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

"...INDIA alliance performed well in the Lok Sabha elections...There has been a change on the ground...The BJP snatched the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir without any reason. We have mentioned in our manifesto to restore the statehood as it is connected with the dignity and self-respect of people," Pilot told reporters in Jammu.

"BJP has violated the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," He added, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

He also alleged that the BJP is "fighting the elections through its proxies since it was unable to contest them on its own."

He also recalled that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had accepted the message of love through the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi.

"The government had asked Rahul Gandhi to suspend his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir due to security reasons. Still, he culminated the Yatra in Srinagar. A ray of hope had been rekindled in the people here. He gave a message of love through the Yatra which was accepted by the people," Pilot added.

Earlier in the day, Sachin Pilot alleged that "development has been stalled" in Jammu and Kashmir and said "people are looking for a government that will meet their expectations."

Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 58.19 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir held on Wednesday.

The second phase will be held on September 25 and the third phase on October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.

The National Conference and the Congress have formed a pre-poll alliance.

Elections are being held after a gap of nearly ten years and are the first since the abrogation of Article 370.