"J-K to get its statehood back at an appropriate time": BJP MLA Pathania slams Congress's 'Our state, our right' campaign

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 26 (ANI): RS Pathania, BJP MLA from Udhampur East, has slammed the Congress' 'Our state, our right' campaign demanding restoration of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that J-K will get its statehood back at an appropriate time.
"There is no ambiguity or confusion among the BJP leadership or its workers regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea that the BJP wants to keep Jammu and Kashmir permanently deprived of statehood is unfounded," Pathania told reporters here on Friday.
Pathania highlighted major improvements in the region since the abrogation of Article 370, emphasising a new sense of security, increased tourism, larger investments, and the arrival of industries.
"Stone pelting has ended, and terrorism is on the verge of being eradicated. Jammu and Kashmir will get its statehood back, but only at an appropriate time, which will come soon," he said, reassuring the people that their aspirations will be met.
The BJP leader also criticised the Congress party for launching a "campaign on a non-issue" across the country, accusing them of holding the peace and progress of Jammu & Kashmir hostage for decades.
"Congress has only misled people for 70 years. They failed to provide appointments, boost tourism, or benefit the ordinary people of Jammu and Kashmir. Now they are simply trying to mislead and distract the masses," he said.
The Congress protested against the Central government on Tuesday for "cheating the people of Jammu and Kashmir" and not fulfilling the demand for reinstating the statehood of the region post the abrogation of Article 370.
Congress leader and party's general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, while participating in the protest at Jantar Mantar, said that the Centre is going back on its word after promising statehood to the region.
"The government of India is cheating the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They have already promised statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, but they are not doing it at all. We heard about a Union Territory becoming a state, but we have never heard of a state becoming a Union Territory. They have done so much injustice to the people of J-K," Venugopal said.
Regarding the statehood demand, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) had organised the 'Our state, our right' programme across Jammu and Kashmir.
In August 5, 2019, the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repealed Article 370 of the Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (ANI)