Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party is essential for development and security in Jammu and Kashmir.

He stated, “With the return of the BJP, PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) is set to become a part of India.”

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath began his campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on Thursday. Yogi sought votes for Ramgarh candidate Devendra Kumar Maniyal, Vijaypur candidate Chandraprakash Ganga, Samba candidate Surjit Singh, RS Pura candidate Dr Narinder Singh Raina, Suchetgarh candidate Prof Gharuram Bhagat and Bishnah candidate Rajiv Bhagat.

BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president Ravindra Raina joined Yogi Adityanath at the RS Pura rally. Due to inclement weather, Yogi Adityanath sent a message via mobile, urging voters to support BJP candidate Rajiv Sharma from Chhamb.

During a public meeting in the Ramgarh assembly constituency, Yogi Adityanath asserted that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will soon become a part of India with the BJP’s return to power.

He said, “Pakistan is struggling to save democracy. Voices for separation are rising in PoK. If elections were conducted in Muzaffarabad alongside the Jammu and Kashmir polls, it would send a positive message. Balochistan itself is stating that its chemistry does not align with Pakistan, as Pakistan is a ‘cancer to humanity’, and the world should aim to eradicate it.”

Yogi highlighted the significant benefits provided by the Indian government, stating that 80 crore people in India receive free ration, 60 crore are covered by health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per year, and 12 crore benefit from Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also mentioned that 10 crore poor people received toilets in their homes and another 10 crore received cooking gas cylinders under the Ujjwala Yojana.

In Jammu and Kashmir, 2.75 lakh poor individuals benefited from the PM Awas Yojana. In contrast, he pointed out that in “beggar Pakistan”, people are struggling for food.

Stating that Prime Minister Modi fulfilled Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s dream by abrogating Article 370, Yogi remarked, “The nursery of terrorism has come to an end. The Congress, PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and National Conference had turned Jammu and Kashmir into a ‘warehouse of terrorism’, but with Narendra Modi as prime minister and Amit Shah as home minister, terrorism is on its way out, and stone pelters have vanished.”

Mentioning the contributions of Maharaja Hari Singh, Premnath Dora and Brigadier Rajendra Singh, Chief Minister Yogi emphasised that these heroes had transformed Jammu and Kashmir into a paradise on earth. However, he criticised the Congress, PDP and NC for allegedly turning the region into a hub of religious frenzy.

Yogi stated, “This election is an opportunity to teach them a lesson. Prime Minister Modi facilitated the construction of the Kartarpur corridor. While the Congress celebrated Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday as Children’s Day, Prime Minister Modi has chosen to commemorate Veer Bal Diwas on December 26, honouring the memories of Guru Gobind Singh’s four Sahibzadas. This significant event is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on the same day.”

Yogi Adityanath highlighted the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “You have witnessed the new Jammu and Kashmir of the new India. This is no longer a ‘terrorism state’; it has emerged as an exceptional ‘tourism destination’. During the tenure of Congress, PDP and NC, one had to make appeals for hoisting the tricolour here, but now we host the G-20 Summit.”