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The Prime Minister spoke with the Congress chief and inquired about his well-being after Kharge fell ill while delivering a speech at the rally. (Reuters)
PM Modi checks on Kharge’s health after he fell ill during a speech at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday to check on his health after the Congress President fell ill while delivering a speech at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua.
Despite the setback, the octogenarian leader resumed his address, saying that he would only die after PM Modi is defeated in the elections and removed from power. Kharge made the remarks after getting medical assistance.
During the rally, Kharge accused the BJP government of continuing to run Jammu and Kashmir through remote control. “These people never wanted to conduct the elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court’s intervention,” he said.
“We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you,” Kharge told the rally in the Jasrota belt. He further accused the BJP of allowing outsiders to dominate key sectors like mining and liquor contracts in J&K.
‘Youth of the entire country’
“Why has the BJP delayed restoring statehood when they hold all the power? The people of J&K deserve better governance, and the BJP has failed to deliver,” he said. “Modiji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. The reality is that in the last 10 years, the youth of the entire country have been pushed into darkness, and Modi ji himself is responsible for this,” Kharge alleged.
He said that PM Modi has given nothing to the youth of India in the last 10 years. “Can you believe a person who cannot bring back your prosperity in 10 years?” he told the gathering. He also highlighted the unemployment issue, saying, “The highest unemployment rate in 45 years is in the Modi ji’s tenure.” In Modi and (Amit) Shah’s minds, there is no intent to provide jobs, only to give speeches, take photos, and cut ribbons, he said.
Jammu and Kashmir
“In Jammu and Kashmir, 65 per cent of government positions are vacant. Jobs here are being given to outsiders on a contractual and daily wage basis. Even in AIIMS Jammu, people from Jammu haven’t received jobs, according to the information I have,” he noted.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Modi, the Congress chief said, “You must have heard how many lies Modiji spoke when he came to Jammu and Kashmir (for campaigning)…how much he insulted the Congress, and the kind of language he used. This shows his nervousness because he can clearly see defeat in the polls.”
Kharge cautioned the people of J&K against the “deceitful tactics” of the BJP, accusing the ruling party at the Centre of diverting attention away from their failure to address the real issues plaguing the UT.
The Congress chief underscored the importance of restoring the “Darbar Move” tradition for the economic prosperity of both Jammu and Kashmir regions, reiterating Congress’s commitment to the well-being and progress of the people.
He concluded his speech by reminding the people that the final phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir is on October 1, urging them to elect Congress’s Jasrota candidate Thakur Balbir Singh with a huge margin.
(With agency inputs)
