Jammu, 19 April (H.S.): Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain renewed his party’s demand for immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have not set a firm timeline for its implementation.

Accusing the BJP of engaging in “vindictive politics” aimed at targeting and defaming the Gandhi family and the Congress, Hussain said they will not be cowed down by it.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had announced when statehood would be restored. Why then they are not restoring the statehood when newly elected government is in place now?” he asked.

Hussain said the Congress intends to write directly to the prime minister to press its demand.

“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge might write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir,” he told reporters here.

The Congress leader questioned the continuing delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We had always said statehood must be restored. Now that the government is in place, why is there a delay? We have already protested and we will continue to fight for Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood,” he said.

Hussain asserted the Congress will continue to press for the promised restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Our party launched a campaign on this issue. We went to every district, campaigned vigorously and asked the government — when will you restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir?” he said.

Hussain, the AICC general secretary and in-charge of J&K Affairs, further said that the party would sustain its pressure both on the streets and inside Parliament.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar