"First remove 'Italy ka Chashma', then everything will be visible": BJP's Tarun Chugh on Rahul Gandhi's visit to J-K

"Rahul Gandhi has come here as a tourist. He opposes the development of J&K. For 70 years they pushed back J-K. Rahul Gandhi ne Italy ka chasma laga rakha hai, and he is visiting the region as a tourist. He calls the Governor an outsider. You should first remove the 'Italy ka chasma', then everything will be clearly visible to you," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi advocated for the restoration of the region's statehood, asserting that the withdrawal of its autonomous status has not only snatched the state of its identity but also eroded the rights and resources of its people.

He also launched a scathing attack on the current administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a parallel between the region's past monarchical rule and its present governance.

"In 1947, we removed the kings, formed a democratic government and gave a Constitution to the country. But... Today, there is a 'king' named LG sitting in Jammu and Kashmir, who is snatching your money and giving it to outsiders. Therefore, our first step will be to return 'statehood' to Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on September 6, as per party sources.

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will see 219 candidates in the fray, with voting scheduled for September 18. This will be the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will be held on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the results announced on October 8. The abrogation of Article 370 led to the revocation of the state's special status and its bifurcation into two Union Territories in 2019. (ANI)