During a rally in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led government's handling of the region, particularly the abrogation of its statehood, which he claims has eroded the rights and identity of its people. He equated the current governance under Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha to a monarchical rule, asserting that the LG is acting like a 'king' who is depriving locals of their wealth and resources. Gandhi vowed that restoring statehood would be the Congress party's top priority, emphasizing the need to address this issue before holding elections. He expressed determination to pressure the government to return statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, contrasting the ideologies of the Congress and the BJP. Furthermore, he condemned the BJP and RSS for fostering communal discord and promised to unite the people under a banner of love and respect. The Congress party is contesting the upcoming Assembly elections in coalition with the National Conference, aiming to secure a significant number of seats.