Kharge in J&K: I am 83, won't die till PM Modi is ‘removed’ from power

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday (September 29) said he is “not going to die” until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “removed” from power.

Kharge made these comments while addressing a rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. During his speech, he fell ill and was later taken to a hospital.

Also read: Kharge falls ill during J&K poll rally

Congress chief doing well

He felt dizzy while addressing a public rally in the Jasrota belt of Kathua district. He is now stable and doctors are attending to him, party leaders had said.

Kharge was paying tribute to a head constable who was killed in an ongoing operation with terrorists in Kathua. Two other police personnel have been injured in the incident and one terrorist has been killed.

Later, his son and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said he was doing well and being checked upon by his medical team.

Also read: INDIA bloc will protest if J&K statehood not restored after polls: Rahul Gandhi

“Congress President Sri @kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. Extremely grateful for everyone's concern. His resolve, along with people’s good wishes, keeps him going strong,” Priyank posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

“We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old. I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you people and work for you,” Kharge said at the rally.

'Modi shedding crocodile tears'

He accused the BJP of allowing outsiders to dominate key sectors like mining and liquor contracts in J&K.

"Why has the BJP delayed restoring statehood when they hold all the power? The people of J&K deserve better governance, and the BJP has failed to deliver," he said.

"Modiji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. The reality is that in the last 10 years, the youth of the entire country have been pushed into darkness, and Modi ji himself is responsible for this," Kharge alleged.

He said that PM Modi has given nothing to the youth of India in the last 10 years. "Can you believe a person who cannot bring back your prosperity in 10 years?" he told the gathering.

He also highlighted the unemployment issue, saying, "The highest unemployment rate in 45 years is in the Modi ji's tenure." In Modi and (Amit) Shah’s minds, there is no intent to provide jobs, only to give speeches, take photos, and cut ribbons, he said.

Kharge had flown to Jasrota to address a rally to garner support for his party candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

He is also scheduled to address another public rally in Ramnagar in Udhampur district.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress vice president Ravindra Sharma said Kharge felt dizzy and was taken to a room, where doctors were called for a check-up. They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not, he said.