PDP, BJP in an opportunistic coalition, not helping J-K, says Rahul Gandhi

Srinagar: Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the PDP-BJP alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir saying it was an "opportunistic coalition" that was not helping the people of the state.

The Congress Vice President, who was addressing a rally in Pulwama during his three-day visit to the state, said it felt like a homecoming "as my roots are here".

A day after he met the people affected by ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Balakot and asked the government to look into the demands, Rahul targeted the ruling alliance saying it had failed to continue the development works initiated under the UPA for the state. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir feel that the coalition government in the state is an opportunistic coalition. It is not working to help the people of the state," the Congress leader said at the rally in Pampore area of Pulwama district, 25 kms from here.

Rahul said the previous UPA government at the Centre had initiated several schemes for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the farmers. "But the (present) NDA government and the state government are not carrying forward those works," the Congress leader, who arrived here this morning on the second leg of this visit to the state, alleged.

He highlighted the Saffron Mission started by the UPA government for the farmers of Pampore and adjoining areas, which are involved in saffron production, saying it had benefited the farmers by providing sprinklers for irrigation.

Invoking his Kashmiri roots, Rahul said whenever he visited the state it felt like a homecoming. "I have a special relation with Jammu and Kashmir as my roots are here. "Whenever I come to Jammu and Kashmir I am happy that I am coming home but I am also sad as people here have faced problems... people have died (in violence) over the years."

Rahul said Congress party is working to help the people, farmers and youth of Jammu and Kashmir. "We work for peace in Jammu and Kashmir," he added. The Congress leader expressed his gratitude to the farmers of the state for contributing towards the nation building. "You work in the fields... you work for the nation. And for that we thank you," he added.

Gandhi is scheduled to address another public rally later in the day in Sopore town, considered to be the hot bed of militancy in the Valley.