New Delhi, August 25, 2023: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a two-day “personal visit” to Srinagar, according to Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani. Wani clarified that the visit has no political agenda or engagements with party leaders in the region. The trip is characterized as a “family tour,” during which Rahul Gandhi will be accompanied by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who is set to join him on the second day of their stay.
While Rahul Gandhi has been exploring the Union Territory of Ladakh for the past week, this marks his first visit to the region since its transformation into a Union Territory in August 2019. The former state of Jammu and Kashmir also underwent a change in status with the abrogation of Article 370.
Prior to his arrival in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi addressed a public rally in Kargil on Friday morning, after a week of touring famous locations in Ladakh, including Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Khardungla Top, Lamayuru, and Zanskar.
A Congress insider shared that after his visit to Kargil, Rahul Gandhi is expected to travel to Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district before proceeding to Srinagar. In Srinagar, he will be accommodated at a houseboat and a hotel, where he is anticipated to spend two nights.
Despite the presence of Congress leaders in the region, the visit maintains a personal context, without any political engagements on the agenda. The focus remains on exploration and relaxation, as Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi take in the scenic beauty and cultural richness of the picturesque locales.
The “family tour” demonstrates a break from political activities and aims to provide the leaders with an opportunity for rejuvenation and connection with the natural and cultural essence of the region.
“We wanted to visit this beautiful place as a family, away from politics, and experience its charm,” Rahul Gandhi remarked during his Ladakh tour.
With Rahul Gandhi’s exploration of Ladakh and subsequent journey to Srinagar, the visit exemplifies a blend of personal discovery and a short hiatus from the political realm.
