Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday took aim at the National Conference, Congress and PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing them of spreading fear and terror in the region.
Addressing a gathering in J-K’s Mendhar, just days before the Union Territory’s Assembly elections, Shah said, “Since 1947, in every war fought against Pakistan, the soldiers from this land, Jammu and Kashmir, have defended India. When terrorism entered in the 1990s, thanks to Farooq Abdullah, it was my Pahadi, Gurjar, and Bakarwal brothers who bravely faced bullets on the borders.”
Criticizing the Congress, National Conference, and PDP’s manifesto, which pledges to restore Article 370 and statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said, “This election will mark the end of the rule of three families in Jammu and Kashmir: the Abdullah family, the Mufti family, and the Nehru-Gandhi family. These three families had blocked democracy here. If Modi ji’s government had not come in 2014, panchayat, block, and district elections would not have taken place.”
“Today, the BJP government, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, has eradicated terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. The youth here have been given laptops instead of stones”, the home minister added.
Shah also emphasized the growing political participation of local youth, stating, “Due to Modi Ji’s tireless efforts, around 30,000 Kashmiri youths are now contesting elections at various levels, exercising their democratic rights.”
Reflecting on the improved security situation, he highlighted, “Do you remember the heavy firing that used to take place in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1990s? Does that firing happen now? In the past, there was firing because the leaders here feared Pakistan; now, Pakistan is afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They no longer have the courage to open fire, and if they do, the bullets will be met with shells.”
The Congress and the National Conference are contesting the elections in alliance, while the PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People’s Conference are also among the parties vying for 90 Assembly seats.
This election marks the first in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Political leaders have launched extensive campaigns to bolster the prospects of their party candidates.
Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. The vote count will take place on October 8.
(ANI)