New Delhi: Congress general secretary and former Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot on Sunday criticized BJP's recent election rhetoric that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) will be a part of Jammu and Kashmir. During this, Pilot asked who stopped it from taking this step when it had a full majority government for 10 years. Pilot also said that he sees Rahul Gandhi as a leader who will lead the country in future and the entire opposition will stand united behind him when the next Lok Sabha elections are held. 

The Congress general secretary, who is campaigning for the assembly elections, also expressed confidence that his party can break all previous records and win more seats than ever before in Haryana. Pilot said in an interview that the Congress can get more than two-third majority in Haryana. He claimed that the top leadership of the BJP is not showing interest in campaigning sensing the ground reality. He said that despite the efforts of many forces to create confusion in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, the collective campaign of the Congress-National Conference will ensure that they form the government with an easy majority.

"A resolution to take back POK was passed in 1994"

In fact, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said last week that after the BJP returns to power, PoK will become a part of Jammu and Kashmir. When asked about this, Pilot said, "I am surprised that the Chief Minister of a state is making this statement right during the elections. They have been in power for the last 10 years. Let me remind you that the Parliament first unanimously passed a resolution to take back PoK in 1994 and then there was a Congress government. We were in power and we expressed this commitment through Parliament." He said, "The BJP has been in power for 10 years. It had an absolute majority for 10 years, who stopped them from taking this step?"

Will restore full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir: Congress leader

When asked about BJP's attack on Congress over Article 370 and Congress' claim to restore the special status of the state, the former Union minister said, "I think these are all election speeches and the stand of Congress is very clear that as soon as we get the mandate and we form a coalition government, the first thing we will do is restore the full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir." Pilot said, "Never before in the history of our country has a state been weakened and made a union territory. Congress has clearly said that its top priority will be to restore the statehood, it is directly related to the self-respect and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir." He said that after the historic 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and good election results for the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has targeted the Center for the failure of the BJP-led government on all fronts.

He said about Rahul Gandhi – he is asking relevant questions

When asked about the impact of Rahul Gandhi taking over as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, he said, "Rahul Gandhi has taken the lead as the Leader of Opposition. He is asking relevant questions to which the government has no answer. He is the Leader of Opposition not only for the Congress but for the entire Opposition." He said, "Certainly we see him as a leader who will lead the country and when the next elections take place, the people of India and the entire Opposition will stand united with Rahul Gandhi." 

Elections in both states, results will be declared on October 8

Let us tell you that assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases. In the first phase, voting was held on 18 September for 24 seats. In the second phase, voting was held on 25 September for 26 seats and in the third and final phase, votes will be cast for 40 seats on 01 October. Voting for Haryana assembly elections will be held on 05 October. Counting of votes for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections will be held on 08 October.