Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Congress during a BJP election rally in Srinagar on Thursday. He accused the opposition parties of stoking fear and anarchy in Jammu and Kashmir and attempting to maintain control through nepotism.
Describing the opposition as dynastic, Modi said, “These three families believe it is their birthright to seize power by any means and exploit the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their political agenda has been to deprive the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate rights. They have only brought fear and anarchy to Jammu and Kashmir.”
He asserted that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were now standing up against the dominance of these political families. “The youth, whom they did not allow to progress, have come out against them.”
In contrast to the Congress, PDP, and NC, PM Modi portrayed the BJP as a unifying force, saying the party was bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. “Unlike them, we are uniting everyone and closing the gap between ‘Dil’ (hearts) and Delhi.”
The Prime Minister also accused the three opposition parties of obstructing the democratic process in the state. He claimed that “the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families” were reluctant to hold local elections, fearing the rise of new political leaders. “These families consider Jammu and Kashmir their private fiefdom. They didn’t want panchayat, BDC, and DDC elections to happen because they feared new leaders would emerge and challenge their dynasty. Their selfishness caused the youth to lose faith in democracy, believing their votes wouldn’t change the outcome.”
Jammu and Kashmir is currently in the midst of a three-phase election for its 90-member assembly. The first round of voting took place on September 18, with the next two phases scheduled for September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.
(With ANI input)