Reaching out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, yearning for their popular Government since June 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here in Srinagar to attend the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations, on Thursday announced that preparations for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have begun.
Addressing a gathering at the 'Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K' event in Srinagar, Modi said the Union Government has taken the recent terror attacks very seriously. "I assure you that we will not hesitate to teach a lesson to the enemies of Jammu & Kashmir."
Referring to the much-awaited Assembly polls the Prime Minister said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir elect their representatives at the local level, through them you find ways to solve problems, what can be better than this? Therefore, now the preparations for the Assembly elections have also started. The time is not far when you will elect the new Government of Jammu and Kashmir with your votes. That day will also come soon when Jammu and Kashmir will once again make its future better as a state."
The Prime Minister had made a similar announcement during an election campaign rally in Udhampur on April 12.
Mentioning record voter turnout in the recent elections, the Prime Minister praised the trust of the people of Jammu & Kashmir in democracy. “I have come to express my thanks for your efforts for keeping the flag of democracy high”, he added.
“The transformation in Jammu & Kashmir is a result of the work done by the government in the last 10 years”, Prime Minister Modi said.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed excitement about his visit to Jammu & Kashmir and mentioned two specific reasons for it. He said, “Firstly, today’s event is related to the inauguration and foundation stone laying of developmental projects in Jammu & Kashmir and secondly, this is the first meeting with the people of Jammu & Kashmir after the Lok Sabha elections.”
"The whole world is witnessing the changes in Kashmir Valley...Humara Kashmir kitna aage badh gaya hai'...You will see that the International Yoga Day celebration will also become an attraction for tourists." Modi said after the wall of 370 has been broken down the constitution of India has been implemented in a true sense. PM Modi also lamented the non-acceptance of the Constitution of India and the neglect shown towards Jammu & Kashmir since independence. “I am delighted that today, we are living the Constitution of India. Through the Constitution, we are finding new ways to change the face of Kashmir for good”, the Prime Minister said with pride. “The Constitution of India has finally been adopted by Jammu & Kashmir in the true sense”, PM Modi exclaimed, “The walls of Article 370 have been brought down.”
Modi said I am making efforts to bridge distances between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring the connection of hearts. “Duri Dil ki rahe ho ya Delhi ki, we are trying our best to erase them.” He further added, “Our government shows its performance by following the expectations of people and brings results.
Recalling his recent visit to Italy for the G7 Summit, the Prime Minister highlighted the impact of continuity of the government for three terms as it has changed the outlook of the world towards India. He also said that all time high aspirations of Indians are the nation's biggest strength. He said that this high aspiration leads to high expectations from the government and in this backdrop, the third continuous term of the government is special as the only parameter of an aspirational society is performance. “People have faith in the intentions and policies of the government”, he added.
Hailing the development that has taken place in Kashmir in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said that the valley is gradually emerging as a major hub of start-ups, skill development and sports.
He said an aspirational society has only one parameter - performance. The country saw the performance and it is the result of this performance that the government has got a chance for the third time. Our government performs and delivers results. Forming the government for the third time has given a message of stability to the world."
The Prime Minister said, "The last decade of the last century has seen a long period of unstable governments. Elections were held 5 times in 10 years. That means the country kept conducting elections and there was nothing else to do.
Due to this instability, and uncertainty, when it was time for India to take off, we became grounded, and we suffered a lot. Leaving that period behind, now India has entered a new era of stable government. This has strengthened our democracy. Jammu and Kashmir have played a very big role in strengthening democracy..."
Referring to the developments that have taken place in Kashmir in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said that the world is witness to the recent changes in the Kashmir valley. It continues to praise the people of the valley for their hospitality during the G20 Summit. He said that the organization of a global event like the G20 Summit in the valley has made the people of Kashmir proud. Seeing children continue to play at Lal Chowk till late in the evening fills every Indian’s heart with joy. Similarly, the bustling markets of the valley light up everyone’s face. Recalling the sports car show held near Dal Lake in March this year, Modi said the whole world watched that program, which stands as a testimony to the progress in the valley.
Pointing out that the women and people from lower income backgrounds in the region were deprived of their rights, the Prime Minister said that the present government worked towards bringing opportunities and restoring their rights by adopting the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the refugees migrating from Pakistan, people from the Valmiki community and families of Safai Karamcharis got their voting rights for the first time. He also mentioned fulfilling the long-pending wish of the Valmiki community to be included in the SC category, reservation of seats in the Legislative Assembly for the SC community, and inclusion of the Paddari tribe, Pahariya caste, Gadda Brahman and Koli community in the SC category. He also underlined that OBC reservation has been made applicable in the Panchayat, Nagar Palika and Nagar Nigam elections.
The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects in J&K worth more than Rs 1,500 crores encompassing the sectors of road, water supply, and infrastructure in higher education. He also launched Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) worth Rs 1,800 crores. Shri Modi also initiated handing out employment letters to 200 fresh government recruits. On the occasion, the Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the exhibition and interacted with young achievers of the Union Territory.
Speaking on the occasion Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said “It is our good fortune that PM Modi is amongst us. I want to congratulate him on becoming the PM for the third time. I believe that PM Modi is an inspirational power of new India who has spent his every moment working for the people and in realising ‘Viksit Bharat’.”
