In a continuing war of words between him and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik on the situation in the Kashmir valley, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he accepted Malik’s invitation to visit J&K ‘with no conditions attached’. In a post on social media, Gandhi said, ”Dear Maalik ji, I saw your feeble reply to my tweet. I accept your invitation to visit Jammu & Kashmir and meet the people, with no conditions attached. When can I come?’’
His tweet is a continuation of the war of words between him and Malik which began with the Jammu and Kashmir Governor lashing out at the Congress leader for his remarks that there was violence reported in the state after Union Government’s decision to scrap Article 370, which allowed special status to Jammu and Kashmir. “I have invited Rahul Gandhi to come here. I will send you a plane, to observe the situation and then speak up”, Malik had said.
Responding to the Governor’s statement, the Congress leader on Tuesday accepted the invitation and said he should be ensured the freedom to travel and meet the people. “Dear Governor Malik, a delegation of opposition leaders and I will take you up on your gracious invitation to visit Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh”, Gandhi tweeted.
While rejecting the Governor’s offer of an aircraft to ferry the Congress leader to Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Gandhi said he doesn’t need an aircraft, but he should be able to travel and meet the people, mainstream leaders and the soldiers. “We won’t need an aircraft but please ensure us the freedom to travel and meet the people, mainstream leaders and our soldiers stationed over there”, Mr Gandhi added. (UNI)
