'Why terror incidents are taking place?' Kharge questions PM Modi's remarks on 'peace' in J&K

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'narrative of peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)' while raising concerns about the ongoing terror incidents in the region.
"They should tell why terror acts are happening in other places (earlier declared peaceful). 'Haathi ke daant khaane ke aur dikhaane ke aur'. Modi and (home minister Amit) Shah are creating jumlas and propagating those to seek votes," said Kharge in a press conference in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Kharge also reiterated the Congress party’s unwavering commitment to restoring full statehood to J&K. "Our priority is to restore statehood, rest later," he said.
The Congress president also reaffirmed the party's support for reservation policies and defended the alliance with the National Conference for the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, while also launching a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS for making derogatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi. "BJP, RSS leaders, including MLAs and MPs, talk about chopping off the tongues of our leaders. Rahul Gandhi is under attack for speaking the truth and an atmosphere of hate is created against him like (it was done against his grandmother) Indira Gandhi," Kharge said at the press conference in Jammu.
"Such provocative speeches by the BJP and the RSS are ignored by the prime minister, who has failed to rein in these leaders and take action against them because he is frightened of them," he further added.
Kharge, on behalf of his party, also announced seven guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir, with the primary focus on restoring statehood to the region. Additionally, they pledged to implement a health insurance scheme that will provide coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for every family in the Union Territory.
"...We have declared seven guarantees. Our priority is to restore statehood to J&K. The second guarantee is to provide a health insurance scheme that will provide coverage of Rs 25 lakh to every family in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir."
The party has also promised to provide financial assistance to women, with a monthly benefit of Rs 3,000 for women heads of families and an interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh. Furthermore, the Congress Party has assured that the rights of OBCs will be protected as per the Constitution, and the 1 lakh vacant jobs will be filled immediately upon coming to power.
Further describing Congress Party's promises for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "A monthly benefit of Rs 3,000 will be given to women heads of families. An interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh will also be given to women...OBCs to get their rights as enshrined in the Constitution... 1 lakh jobs are vacant when we come into power will notify them immediately..."
Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress Party leader, criticized the BJP for failing to fulfill their promise of providing 5 lakh jobs during their five-year tenure in the Union Territory. He accused the BJP of not taking any significant action for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
"BJP said they would give 5 lakh jobs but they have been here for 5 years but they have not done anything," Kharge added.
When questioned about BJP leader Devinder Rana's statement regarding NC leader Omar Abdullah's meeting with the BJP, Kharge dismissed it as a past event, emphasising that they are now in an alliance. "Alliance with National Conference for J-K Assembly polls was necessary to remove BJP from politics," also said Kharge.
The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls concluded on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent, according to data from the Election Commission. The polling, which took place across 24 constituencies in seven districts, including 16 seats in the Kashmir region and eight seats in the Jammu region, was reported to be peaceful.
Among the districts, Kishtwar recorded the highest turnout at 80.14 per cent, followed by Ramban at 70.55 per cent, Doda at 71.34 per cent, Kulgam at 62.60 per cent, Anantnag at 57.84 per cent, and Shopian at 55.96 per cent.
The election in Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a fascinating contest, with various political parties and independent candidates participating. The National Congress and Congress have formed an alliance, although they are also engaged in a friendly contest on some seats.
Notably, this is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. Political leaders have conducted intensive campaigns to enhance the prospects of their party candidates.
The second and third phases of voting in J-K are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, respectively, with the counting of votes set to take place on October 8.