The BJP continued its tirade against the two main political parties of Jammu & Kashmir - the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - accusing them of delaying development by raking up emotional political issues.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Udhampur rally revolved around this theme, Home Minister Rajnath Singh's three speeches in Kashmir Valley, albeit without facing the audience, targeted the two regional parties for their alleged involvement in corruption and malpractices. Singh was scheduled to address three rallies in Uri, Kupwara and Pahalgam but due to inclement weather his chopper could not take off from Srinagar Airport.
The Valley is reeling under cold wave as snowfall has occurred at upper reaches including ski-resort of Gulmarg. This situation compelled the Home Minister to deliver separate speeches from the Airport for the scheduled rallies.
Singh, who has been involved in Kashmir affairs in the aftermath of 2010 killings as he was part of the BJP's fact finding committee on Kashmir, chose to parry the emotive issues like the Article 370 and instead targeted the PDP and National Conference for "diverting public attention from real issues".
He asked the people to vote on the basis of development agenda rather than on sentimental issues. The BJP is claiming to win more than 44 seats in the 87-member Assembly to form the next Government at its own. While it eyes Hindu-majority parts of Jammu for maximum support, it has fielded candidates in bulk of constituencies in Kashmir to achieve the target.
Of late, the party is not highlighting the issue of abrogation of Article 370 from the Constitution of India. The BJP introduced "Vision Document" instead of full-fledged poll manifesto to sidestep the discussions on the crucial provision of the Indian Constitution.
The PDP and the NC have sharpened its attack on the BJP warning people against its "hidden political designs in Jammu & Kashmir".
Singh alleged that the NC and PDP were attempting to divert common people's attention by raking up emotional issues. He said that developmental issues should be discussed during the elections. He said the PDP and NC Governments have left the State backward as these parties indulged in corruption and malpractices.
Striking an emotional chord with the Kashmiri people he said that terrorism has affected all the people and a generation has been lost. He said that the BJP wants to win over the people of Kashmir through love and affection.
Referring to recent handshake by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif at the SAARC summit, Singh reminded Sharif that shaking hands would not suffice but the hearts must meet.