J&K should be run by locals, not Delhi: Rahul Gandhi in Srinagar

Taking a jibe at the Centre, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir should be run by locals and not from New Delhi promising that he would put pressure on the Centre to restore J&K’s statehood.

“It has happened many times in India when a Union Territory (UT) has been upgraded to a state. Many times states have been divided into two parts. But this happened for the first time in history, when the rights of J&K were snatched away by turning a state a Union territory. Therefore, we want statehood to be returned to J&K. We will put pressure on the government for this and if they don’t do it, we will get it done” Rahul Gandhi said during a rally at Surankote in Poonch district.

He lashed out at the Centre for allegedly taking away the rights of the people. He said earlier governments in J&K were run by locals and their decisions were meant for a better future of the locals. “Now, outsiders are making decisions for you and your voice is not being heard by the government. Your government is run from Delhi, orders are coming from Delhi. We want your government to be run from J&K,” he said.