Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday posed a critical question to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi regarding his stance on the National Conference’s demand for the reinstatement of Article 370 and Article 35A, along with the introduction of a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a gathering in the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency, Adityanath questioned whether Gandhi supports the idea of a separate flag for the region, emphasizing that such demands could push Jammu and Kashmir back into a period of unrest and terrorism.
In his address, Yogi Adityanath urged Gandhi to clarify if the Congress party endorses a return to separatism by engaging with Pakistan, suggesting that such actions come at the expense of the youth in Kashmir. The remarks were made amidst ongoing discussions about the political future of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of the recent assembly polls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in on the matter, responding directly to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier statements about governance in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah reminded the audience that the Congress party has historically imposed President’s Rule in the region more frequently than any other political party. He criticized Gandhi for suggesting that outsiders would rule in Jammu and Kashmir, referencing the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and claimed that those who prepare Gandhi’s speeches fail to inform him accurately about the political realities.
Amit Shah highlighted the improved voter turnout in the region as a sign of the diminishing impact of terrorism, noting a record 55 percent participation in recent elections. He attributed this increase to the cessation of violence, claiming that the people of Jammu and Kashmir now have greater power in decision-making processes, a change attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance. Shah stated that for too long, the three dominant dynasties in the region—the National Conference, Congress, and PDP—had perpetuated nepotism, but Narendra Modi’s leadership had empowered local governance through the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions.
He further warned that if candidates from the BJP, specifically Jeevan Lal and Dilip Singh, were to win, it would be celebrated nationwide, contrasting this with the implications of a victory for Congress or National Conference candidates, which he claimed would be a cause for celebration in Pakistan.
Amit Shah also addressed Gandhi’s remarks about reservations, firmly stating that the BJP would not allow any attempts to abolish such provisions should Congress come to power. As the assembly elections progress, with the second phase of voting having taken place on September 25 and the final phase scheduled for October 1, the counting of votes will occur on October 8. These elections are particularly significant as they mark the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in nearly a decade, following the abrogation of Article 370.
