Congress will use its full power to get statehood reinstated: Rahul Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu (PTI): The demand for statehood is Jammu and Kashmir's biggest issue and the Congress will use "our full power" to get it reinstated, party MP Rahul Gandhi said on Monday as his Bharat Jodo Yatra arrived here to a grand welcome.
Gandhi, who met a cross section of people from Jammu and Kashmir during his yatra, said J&K has the highest level of unemployment in the country.
"The Congress party will fully support you and your statehood (demand). To reinstate statehood, the Congress will use our full power," Gandhi told a gathering at the Satwari Chowk here.
"Statehood is your biggest issue. There is no big issue as big as statehood. Your right has been snatched," he said.
Gandhi said he spoke to a cross section of people from J&K during his yatra and they raised their issues. He said they told him that their voices are not being heard by the administration. "The entire trade is being run by outsiders and people of J&K watch them sitting haplessly," he said.
Gandhi said Jammu and Kashmir has the highest level of unemployment in the country. Youngsters aspire to become engineers, doctors and lawyers but they find they cannot, he said.
"There was another way (to get employment) earlier. It was with the Army. It has also been closed now by a new scheme, called Agniveer, introduced by BJP. That path is also now closed," he said.
In August 2019, the NDA government revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and proposed the state be divided into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
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Minister Madhu Bangarappa invites JDS MLA to join Congress during public event
Shivamogga: Shivamogga District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa performed a Gudali Puja on Sunday for the development of Barehalla and Hi Hole Dams in the taluk, along with road development work in Puradalu village.
At the program, Madhu Bangarappa extended an invitation to JDS MLA Sharada Pooryanayaka to join the Congress party, using an English proverb to make his point.
"Sharada Pooryanayaka loves me very much. But when elections come, it becomes very difficult. Now we have power. That is why I am calling her to join our party. Our father always said that when it is hot, we should dry the grass. Now that it is hot, my sister should make a decision," he said, extending an open offer to the JDS leader.
Bangarappa emphasized that providing facilities for the Sharavati flood victims is the government's duty. He noted that the dam built for these victims in Puradalu village was damaged due to excessive rainfall. To address this, he announced the launch of development work worth Rs. 3 crore, fulfilling his previous promises.
He stated that while the government is allocating funds for guaranteed schemes, it is also ensuring grants for developmental projects. "As a minister, I am responsible for providing quality education to children. I am working with great emphasis on education. Since the education department is vast, everyone is cooperating," he said.
The minister urged parents to ensure their children's education is not disrupted due to frequent holidays. He also mentioned that a facial attendance system is being considered to monitor school attendance more effectively.
Instead of focusing on building large temples in villages, he stressed the importance of constructing bigger schools, stating that "If schools are built big, God will bless them."
MLA Sharada Pooryanayaka stated that priority is being given to the development of villages in the Sharavati floodplain area. She also acknowledged the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and thanked District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa for securing funds for the Barehalla and Hi Hole Dam development.
Puradalu Gram Panchayat Vice President H.S. Pradeep delivered the introductory remarks.
The event was attended by Congress District President R. Prasanna Kumar, State Bhovi Development Corporation President S. Ravikumar, Guarantee Schemes Authority District President Chandrabhupal, and Congress leaders Kalgodu Ratnakar, G.D. Manjunath, Dr. Srinivas Karianna, Y.H. Nagaraj, as well as Puradalu and Agasavalli Gram Panchayat Presidents and members.
