Jammu. Striking an emotional connect with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he considers himself their soldier in New Delhi and his doors are always open for party workers – the “lions of Congress”.
Targeting the Prime Minister, Gandhi said that after the results of the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi’s attitude and confidence have changed a lot.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha told Congress workers here, “You know what kind of relationship I have with you. This is not a political relationship. This is a relationship of love and also a relationship of my family background. My family comes from your state.” He was addressing party workers on the second and last day of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Assembly elections are to be held in Jammu and Kashmir next month.
Gandhi said, “So you should always feel that you have a soldier in Delhi. I am your soldier. Whatever you need, my doors are always open for you.” He said amid applause, “You just have to give me orders and I will appear before you.” Gandhi, who was present at the event with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, described party leaders as “generals” and workers as “soldiers”. He stressed that both should be respected in all situations, including alliances with other parties.
Taking an indirect dig at former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad without naming him, Gandhi told party workers, “When the time was difficult and you and your ideology were being attacked, you still stood firm on the ground, kept the flag high. (But) many people threw away the flag and ran away. You did not run away. You faced bullets, sticks and abuses and stood firm on your ground. I call you the lion of Congress.” He said that the Congress and its workers have shaken the confidence of Prime Minister Modi. He said that the confident gesture that Modi used to show before the elections is no longer there.
Gandhi said, “Congress workers have given him (Modi) so much mental stress that his confidence has been badly shaken. Congress workers have forced him to bow before the Constitution. He is no longer the Prime Minister he was before the elections.” He said that Congress will continue to challenge the BJP across the country.
Gandhi said, “Whenever they try to do any mischief, they will be seen challenging the Congress. Congress and its workers have saved the Constitution and democracy in the country. We will foil their conspiracy. We will not let them pass their bills.” He said that the Congress has an ideological battle with the BJP. He said, “This is a battle between the ideologies of Congress and RSS.”
On the issue of Congress ticket distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi expressed his wish that tickets should be given to grassroots workers. He said, “They should get an opportunity to become MLAs. I want to see them in the assembly.” He also demanded the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. Gandhi and Kharge were welcomed and honoured with Dogri turbans and a picture of Mata Vaishno Devi.