Sonia Gandhi addresses rally at Bandipora, J&K: Congress does not believe in divisive politics

Congress President Sonia Gandhi kick-started her campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir addressed a mammoth election rally at Bandipora in the state. She accused the BJP of playing politics over providing relief to flood victims of Jammu and Kashmir and also said the ruling party at the Centre promised the sky but did not follow it up with action.Striking an emotional chord with the people in the state, the Congress President said, "The Congress has a century-long relationship with Kashmir. This relationship brings me to Kashmir time and again."

Rahul Gandhi in Doda (Jammu & Kashmir) targets Modi for hiding his marital status earlier

Doda: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge election rally at Doda in Jammu and Kashmir and took on BJP for its double-speak on women empowerment. "Nowadays, I see BJP poster with the promise of women empowerment. They talk about women empowerment but its cadres beat up women in Bangalore. Karnataka Chief Minister had told me that one of BJP's former ministers was charged with assault on women. BJP MLAs watch porn through mobiles at state Assembly. How the women of India could feel safe under BJP and Modi's so-called Gujarat model when in Gujarat, policemen are sent behind a woman, her phone was tapped by policemen. For the first time, only now, Modi admitted that he was married. Why did he hide it till now? Till date, he never had mentioned his wife's name in any affidavit. We don't know how many elections he has fought, for the first time he has written that he is married. Still, BJP talks about women empowerment!" said Rahul Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K): People of Kashmir are fed up with violence

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "The National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition government in the state has initiated several development processes to transform the state. The people also have started appreciating these efforts. The turn-out in the recently held Panchayat elections in the state undoubtedly prove that, the people of the state are fed up with the violence and they want to live in peace and harmony. The youth here want good education, better job opportunities and a bright career. Similarly, the Kashmiri women want to be self-reliant and they look for positive changes in their living standards. The UPA Government has therefore launched schemes like HIMAYAT and UMEED. Several other initiatives are also being implemented" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K) assures full support for Kashmir's development

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. " I believe that all local bodies should be given more autonomy and financial support and its elections should be held in time. I don't deny that there were some issues in the state regarding this but I am sure that with due consultations, discussions and meetings we can find solutions to every problem" said the Congress President. " The people of Kashmir have the potential and talent to surge ahead and to build a bright future. We need to continue our efforts for better development based on secularism and inclusiveness. We will stand by the people of Kashmir and will together work to ensure their good future" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi, PM flag-off Banihar-Quazigund rail line in Kashmir

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi jointly flagged off the first service through Banhial-Quazigund railway line in Kashmir. The new rail line provide the people with all-weather rail link in the Valley.

Sonia Gandhi, PM flag off the first train through Banihal-Quazigund railway line

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the Banihal-Quazigund railway section, which will provide all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, jointly, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. They also flagged off the first train on the 18-km-long section between Banihal in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir, marking start of the service. She congratulated the team behind the land mark project.

UPA believes in inclusive growth, says Sonia Gandhi; assures full support for Kashmir’s development

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday in Kashmir. They jointly flagged off the first train on the 18-km-long section between Banihal in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir, marking start of the service.

While speaking on the occasion Sonia Gandhi said that the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre believes in inclusive growth. “UPA Government at the centre believes in inclusive growth. We also take measures for welfare and upliftment of the people at far-flung areas who are deprived off basic facilities. This was the vision for ‘Bharat Nirman’ of late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had drafted a road-map for the modern India. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi followed his foot- steps. The UPA Government at centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also has been following this vision of development” said the Congress President.

The UPA Chairperson also praised the Omar Abdullah led government in the state. “The National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition government in the state has initiated several development processes to transform the state. The people also are appreciating these efforts. The turn-out in the recently held Panchayat elections in the state undoubtedly prove that the people of this state are fed up with the violence and they want to live in peace and harmony” said Sonia Gandhi.

“The youth here want good education, better job opportunities and a bright career. Similarly, the Kashmiri women want to be self-reliant and they look for positive changes in their daily life. The UPA Government has therefore launched schemes like HIMAYAT and UMEED”, she added.

“The people of Kashmir have the potential and talent to surge ahead and to build a bright future. We need to continue our efforts for development, based on secularism and inclusiveness.  We will stand by the people of Kashmir and will together work to ensure their good future” assured Sonia Gandhi while concluding her speech.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with Union Minister  Ghulam Nabi Azad were also present on the historic occasion.

The Banihal-Qazigund rail section, which includes an 11-km-long Pir Panjal tunnel, will reduce the distance from 35 km (by road) to 18 km. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1,691 crore. The tunnel is the biggest in India and Asia's second longest after China's Wushaoling. The tunnel link will also provide an alternative link to the existing Jawahar Tunnel and will eventually make the Valley accessible by train through the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway route. An eight-coach train will start regular operations from Banihal to Baramulla from June 27. The tunnel has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,300 crore and taken almost seven years to complete. It has been constructed using New Austrian Tunnelling Method, which has been used for the first time on such a large scale in India. This rail section is very significant as it will provide an all-weather link to Kashmir valley which often gets cut off from the rest of the country due to snowfall during winters.

The Banihal-Baramulla-Banihal train will make five trips daily beginning at 7.10 AM from Banihal and 7.35 AM from Baramulla. Passengers travelling by train from Kashmir valley to Banihal can avail bus service from there till Udhampur where train service is available for rest of the country.

Full text of Sonia Gandhi’s speech

Sonia Gandhi in Kashmir speaks after the inauguration of Banihal-Quazigund rail line

"UPA Government at the centre believes in inclusive growth. We also take measures for welfare and upliftment of the people at far-flung areas who are deprived off basic facilities. This was the vision for 'Bharat Nirman' of late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had drafted a road-map for the modern India. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi followed his foot- steps. The UPA Government at centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also has been following this vision of development" said the Congress President.

Sonia Gandhi at the launch of 850 MW power project in Kishtwar, J&K

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Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while speaking at a function in Kashmir said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region

Sonia Gandhi in Kishtwar, Jammu Kashmir at the launch of 850 MW power project

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Kashmir said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region.

Sonia Gandhi in J&K highlights UPA’s commitment for rural development

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while speaking at a function in Kashmir paid tributes to soldiers killed in a militant attack in Srinagar. She also said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region.  

While addressing the function Sonia Gandhi said, “We cannot forget the tragedy which struck this state yesterday and also we cannot the disaster took place in Himachal and Uttarakhand. My heart goes out to the soldiers who laid down their lives in Srinagar on Monday and I express my sincere condolences to their families. I also salute our brave soldiers who have been putting all their sincere efforts in the rescue and relief operations at the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand”.

“UPA government at the centre gave priority for rural development across the country, especially to improve connectivity” said Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi also praised former J-K Chief Minister, for the development works undertaken under him in the state. “Indira Gandhi had a special love for this state.  She was very much concerned about the development here.  With this intention only she had laid the foundation stone for Dulhasti power station in Kishtwar.  Like his mother, Rajiv Gandhi also had paid special attention for development of this back ward region of the hill state” added Sonia Gandhi.

Striking an emotional chord with the Kashmiri people, the Congress President said “I am proud that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown determination to put the state on the path of peace, progress and development.  Further it is a matter of pride that the number of IAS, IFS officers from Kashmir has gone up. It shows there is tremendous potential among the Kashmiri youth and if given a chance, they have the talent to perform at all levels”. She also stressed that the ecology and biodiversity should be protected while carrying out development projects. 

The Congress President also shared that the UPA Govt at the central has launched several schemes for development and employment generation. "The Centre has launched Udaan and Himayat schemes for upgrading employment skills of the youth in the state”, she said. She also reminded about the ‘UMEED’ scheme for women, which was launched by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi recently, for making the women of the state self-reliant.

Before departure for New Delhi June 26, Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 11-km-long railway tunnel across the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region, cutting short the surface distance between Kashmir and the Jammu region by 17 km. The tunnel will also provide all-weather access across the Pir Panjal mountain range.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway often gets closed in heavy snowfall during winter, causing regions across the Pir Panjal from Jammu to be cut off - at times for a few months - each year.