Abid Bashir
Sopore, Sep 25 : Showering praises on the hospitality of the people of Sopore, Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Parliament Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said that he wants Kashmiri apples to reach the international market but that wasn’t possible without Statehood.
“I want this apple to not reach Indian markets but China, America and Japan too. Your future lies in this apple. I want people of America to relish Kashmiri apples,” Rahul said, as per news agency. “I promise, if our government comes to power, we will set up an Apple processing unit here and fix the Rs 72 per kg rate for apples. The processing unit will help you to send the product to national and international markets much quicker.”
Hailing the senior Congress leader and former party MLA from Sopore for Haji Rashid for keeping dry fruit and walnuts before him, Rahul said: “One thing you had missed to keep for me is Apple. Your future lies in this Apple.” Rahul was holding an apple in his hand during his speech.
He reiterated that Statehood was the prime demand of people of J&K. “INDIA alliance will put pressure on the BJP led government at the Centre in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to restore Statehood to J&K. If they fail, the INDIA alliance will do it as a first thing after coming to power,” the LoP said.
He said J&K was the only state run by outsiders rather than Chief Ministers or MLAs. “Here, LG and bureaucrats are calling the shots,” Rahul said.
He accused the PM Modi led government of waiving off the loan amount of Rs 16 lakh crores to Ambani and Adani. “PM Modi government doesn’t waive off the loan of farmers, poor men or cart pullers but big business tycoons,” he said. Reiterating his commitment for restoration of Statehood to J&K, he said that soon after the elections in J&K they will build pressure on the Centre to restore the Statehood. “If BJP fails to do so, the INDIA alliance soon after coming to power will do it as the first priority,” he said. He urged Haji Abdur Rashid to invite him for at least two days next time. “I want to understand the issues being faced by people of Sopore,” Rahul said
