Srinagar, Aug 22 (Reporter) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that the party will work towards restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Congress promises to fight for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. Kharge criticized the BJP for downgrading Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory, stripping its citizens of their rights. "There is no Council, Assembly, Panchayat, or Municipalities. Instead of safeguarding democratic rights, the BJP has dislodged them," the Congress President told media in Srinagar. He noted that no elections were held until the Supreme Court directed them to be held before September 30, 2024. "The BJP and Modi will never succeed in suppressing the people's voices," Kharge said. "In a democracy, the people's voice always prevails." The leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha promised that Congress will support the people's aspirations and fight along witgh them for their rights. "The BJP is trying to snatch everything from Jammu and Kashmir, including forests and land, but Congress will never allow that to happen." He highlighted the rising unemployment, with lakhs of vacancies remaining unfilled. "Instead, the BJP is converting permanent jobs to temporary or contract basis,” the Congress President said. Kharge emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is a matter of right, citing the law of the nation. "No state has ever been downgraded to a Union Territory," he said. The LoP criticized the BJP for failing to fulfill its promises, including providing 2 crore jobs, MSP to farmers, and bringing back black money. "Their promises remain mere phrases," he said. Kharge hailed the INDI alliance's success in restricting the BJP from gaining absolute majority in the Lok Sabha. "Today, they are worried about passing laws like the Waqf Board bill, which was introduced in Parliament and later sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)." He credited Rahul Gandhi for standing against the Waqf Board amendment bill in Parliament. Kharge criticized the BJP for taking advantage of its brute majority and passing laws harmful to the people, including the Lateral entry system, three laws against farmers, and four laws against labourers...////...