Counting the sins committed by three dynastic families namely Congress, National Conference, and the Peoples Democratic Party Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be a fight between these “three dynasties” and the youth of the Union Territory.
Modi also asserted that terrorism is taking its last breath in Jammu and Kashmir and will be completely wiped out by the security forces. Before the arrival of the Prime Minister, jawans of the security forces were engaged in an intense firefight in the Kreeri area of Baramulla. Three terrorists were gunned down in the anti-terrorist operation. Since September 9, a total number of seven terrorists were eliminated in three separate operations while two bravehearts of the Indian army sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
On the occasion, Modi reiterated his Government's promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and cautioned people against bringing the NC, Congress, and the PDP back to power.
The Prime Minister while addressing his maiden election rally ahead of the first round of polling on September 18 asserted these three political dynasties have destroyed the region and not allowed new leadership to grow.
Launching a scathing attack on these three political dynasties Modi said they indulged in corruption and made you struggle for your basic needs.
“These three families prepared the necessary ground for separatism and terrorism here. Who benefited from it? The enemies of the nation! They were harbouring terrorism. They are responsible for ruining Jammu and Kashmir for decades,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister pledged that his Government would make a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, stating that it was “Modi Ki Guarantee.”
Out of 24 Assembly seats that are going to witness polling on September 18, eight fall in the erstwhile Doda district and 16 Assembly seats are located in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam.
The BJP campaign managers organised the mega poll rally, also the first by any Prime Minister in the last 42 years in the land-locked Doda district, to sway the voters in support of the BJP to come closer to the magic numbers needed to form the Government. The mega rally was attended by senior BJP leaders and all eight BJP candidates in the fray.
Before beginning his over 40-minute long speech Modi also offered prayers in the name of local deities. “This time, the (Assembly) election will decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained the target of foreign powers since Independence.” The political parties you trusted never cared for your children. They only cared for and projected their children and did not let new leadership grow,” Modi added.
The Prime Minister said his Government focused on carving out a young leadership in Jammu and Kashmir soon after “we came to power at the Centre in 2014”.
“The youths of J and K used to face the brunt of terrorism. The parties that encouraged familism by misleading people enjoyed power and did not allow young leaders to take root.
“I can see that our sisters and daughters have come here in big numbers to bless us. I am thankful to you all. I will repay this love and blessings of yours by working twice and thrice as hard for you and the country. Together we will build a safe and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir and this is Modi's guarantee,” PM Modi said.
These people have never allowed new Leaders to emerge anywhere in J-K. You also know that panchayat elections were not held here after 2000,” PM Modi said.
He further said that “'Pariwarwad' did not allow the youth to come forward and that is why, after coming to power in 2014, I have tried to bring forward the new leadership of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“In 2018, panchayat elections were held here. In 2019, BDC elections were held and in 2020, DDC elections were held for the first time. Why were these elections held? So that democracy reaches the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Prime Minister referred to the remark by then Congress' Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in which he said that he was scared to visit Lal Chowk
“There was a time when there used to be an undeclared curfew after evening. The situation was such that the Union Home Minister used to be scared to visit Lal Chowk,” he said.
PM Modi referred to the changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years and said that terrorism is at its last breath in Jammu and Kashmir and pointed to the changing scenario of stone pelting incidents and said that the time has arrived for the development of the region.
“Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is now breathing its last. The changes seen here in the last 10 years are nothing short of a dream. The stones that were once picked up to be thrown at the police and army are now being used to build a new Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said that he wants every child in Jammu and Kashmir to have access to a good education. “Over the past few years, the BJP Government has inaugurated various schools and colleges in J&K for the betterment of the youth. The long-standing demand for a medical college in Doda was also fulfilled recently by the BJP Government,” he said.
He further said that the BJP's resolution and support can bring peace, prosperity and security to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Make our candidates win with a huge mandate and ensure a brighter future for everyone in the valley. Any citizen of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of his religion, region and cultural affiliation, is a priority for the BJP government. I guarantee to safeguard your rights. It's only the BJP that can reinforce statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, attacking the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, and Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi over his slogan of 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said those running “nafrat ki dukaan” (shops of hate) are hiding behind the boards of “mohabbat ki dukaan” (shops of love).
“Congress, PDP and NC want to restore Article 370. That would mean that the three families will once again snatch the reservation of the Pahadis. If their manifestos are implemented, the schools will once again be burnt, children will have stones in their hands, and there will be strikes. They talk about the Constitution. Ye nafrat ki dukaan pe mohabbat ki dukaan ka board laga kar ke ghumte hai,” he said.
Attacking the opposition further for keeping the Constitution in their pockets, PM Modi said that they are doing so to hide their “misdeeds.” He also slammed the opposition for depriving the Pahadi, SC, ST, and OBC communities of reservation in the erstwhile state.
