BJP Wants To Run Country From Nagpur: Rahul Gandhi In Srinagar

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the BJP, accusing the party of running the country from Nagpur.

Addressing a rally in Srinagar, he said, "...We want statehood for you, that is in your heart. We want you to run your state the way you want to, this is the message we came to convey."

Gandhi added that it is a battle of ideologies - between Congress and RSS. "I sit in parliament, I see him (PM Modi). I can tell you that you have finished the confidence of PM Modi. Congress workers have given so much psychological tension to him that his psychology has collapsed..." he added.

In a major political development ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the Congress and the National Conference (NC) along with the CPM have announced a pre-poll alliance. The decision was made public on Thursday following a meeting between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and NC chief Farooq Abdullah.

The alliance announcement came after the leaders convened at the residence of Farooq Abdullah on Srinagar's Gupkar Road. Following the meeting, Abdullah expressed confidence in the alliance, stating that it was formed in a "very cordial atmosphere" and that with "God's grace," the alliance would be successful. He confirmed that the Congress-NC alliance would contest all 90 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.

When questioned about the possibility of including the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the alliance, Abdullah clarified that the focus is on the Congress-NC partnership. He mentioned that CPM leader MY Tarigami is also part of the coalition and expressed hope that the people would support them to achieve better governance for the region.

The Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases - September 18, 25 and October 1.

The counting of the votes will be held on October 4.