Sonamarg (Kashmir), Oct 4: Reaching out to the people of Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said he wants to understand their “pain” and help connect them with the development of the country.
On a visit to Kashmir after a year, Gandhi said the youth in the state should join the development process taking place in the country in various sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and electricity.
“I want to establish a relationship with you. A lifelong relationship,” he said addressing a public gathering here, while recalling the close ties between Sheikh Abdullah and his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Rajiv Gandhi's strong links with Farooq Abdullah.
Gandhi said that he wants to work with state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah similarly for betterment of the state.
The Congress General Secretary was the guest of honour during the foundation lying ceremony of a tunnel here to provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh.
“I have two goals here. First is to establish a relation with you and understand your pain deeply.... Second goal is to connect Kashmiri youth with the development process,” Gandhi said, adding that the nation is growing rapidly and the same should happen in Kashmir.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were present during the occasion.
Promising to return to the state soon, he also said that government is taking measures to ensure all weather connectivity between various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I was told that Ladakh is disconnected from rest of the state during winters. I have been told that steps are being taken to address this issue,” Gandhi said.
